Child sexual abuse (CSA) is, unfortunately, a common experience for many girls, and the issue’s prevalence is alarming. The prevalence of CSA is difficult to measure accurately because many cases go unreported or are not adequately captured in surveys. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of girls are victims of some form of sexual abuse before they reach adulthood. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 18% of girls and 8% of boys worldwide have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18 (WHO, 2017). The devastating consequences of CSA continue to be reflected in contemporary cases. For example, a case that shook the Kashmir Valley occurred in Budgam district in May 2026, when a 12-year-old girl who had gone missing on Saturday, 23 May 2026, was found dead the following day, Sunday, 24 May 2026. Police subsequently arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the alleged rape and murder. 

To understand CSA, it is important to distinguish between opportunity and motivation of abuse. Opportunity refers to the social power, authority, and access that men may have over women and children through patriarchal social structures. Motivation, in contrast, refers to the personal and psychological reasons why some men choose to abuse. Radical feminists argue that child sexual abuse is rooted in patriarchy, where men occupy positions of power over women and children. This unequal power creates opportunities for abuse by giving some men greater authority, control, and access to potential victims

Patriarchy does not force men to abuse........

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