Mental illness is still a taboo concept in India and there is a lot of social and cultural reservation around accessing mental health services. In case of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), the individuals are further stigmatized. There is a broad variety of practical, cultural, individual and family-related barriers that restrict initialization and adherence to therapy and counselling. It takes a lot of courage for the survivors of sexual abuse to take the first step towards healing. However, when they garner the courage, their stories offer hope and inspiration to many others to come forward.
So far we have supported the healing journey of 17,219 children, adolescents, adult survivors and 3,615 family members and caregivers by providing psychoeducation/counseling and psycho-social intervention. Counselling at Arpan aims at supporting the healing journey of children and adult survivors and helping them attend psycho-social stability.
Long-term Psychotherapy within institutions
Since January 2023, Arpan has been providing trauma-informed therapeutic support to Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) at an Observation Home in Mumbai, particularly those involved in POCSO cases. Many of these children lack awareness of boundaries, consent, and accountability—key factors in rehabilitation and preventing reoffending.
Referred by the Juvenile Justice Board, and law enforcement officials, these children receive structured interventions focused on emotional regulation, managing sexual impulses, understanding consent, and fostering empathy. Our counselors conduct regular group and individual sessions to guide them through this process.
Recognizing the role of a child’s ecosystem, we engage with law enforcement, probation officers, and trusted adults in the intervention. These sessions equip stakeholders with the knowledge to support children effectively, while counseling helps parents navigate stigma and aid reintegration. Through research and monitoring, we have seen positive shifts—children show improved awareness of safe behaviors and personal boundaries. Despite challenges like limited post-bail access, our adaptive approach ensures lasting impact.
At its core, Arpan’s work goes beyond counseling, it nurtures self-awareness and empowers children to make informed choices, preventing reoffending and contributing towards safe future and a world free from Child Sexual Abuse.
Psychotherapy with children and adult survivors
Mainstream and alternative therapeutic services are provided to children and adult survivors of Child Sexual Abuse through both online and offline avenues. It includes individual therapy and group sessions with an aim to heal the psychological, social, sexual, and physical consequences of the abuse. The offline services are offered at the Arpan office in Goregaon, Mumbai as well as at the community level with the support of NGOs and social service organizations. Arpan also has partner counsellors who provide counselling to children and adult survivors on behalf of Arpan. They are located in different parts of the city so that individuals have easy access to Arpan’s counselling services. Online services can be availed from anywhere in the world.Â
Psychoeducation with family members
Arpan is cognizant of the emotional crisis that the family of the child who has experienced sexual abuse goes through and, hence, renders its services to the family members to prepare them to respond to the child effectively and create a support network for the child. With family members, Arpan conducts sessions on psychoeducation and joint sessions with the child. The counselling process helps the family members to understand the issue of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), empathize with the child and respond to the child in a positive manner. If you want to know more about mental health services or receive counselling , want us to work in any institution, refer someone you write to us on support@arpan.org.inÂ