Contents: Preface. Introduction. I. The child: 1. Who is a child? 2. What is child labour? 3. Child labour in India. 4. Deprivation and survival. II. The victims: 5. Victims of crime. 6. Neglect of victims. 7. Judicial scrutiny for protection. 8. Child refugees. 9. Issues of alcoholic parents. 10. Strategies and innovations. 11. Various forms and patterns. 12. Preventing victimisation. 13. Gender bias and crime. 14. Curse of the unborn child. 15. Foeticide and girl child. 16. From womb to tomb. 17. Agenda for crime victims. III. Prey to sex: 18. Sexual abuse. 19. Traumas of rape. 20. Child rape in India. IV. Dawn of reason: 21. The awareness. 22. Application of human rights. 23. The remedies. V. Legal aspects: 24. Role of the constitution. 25. Provisions of law. 26. Criminal justice system. VI. Further prospects: 27. Programme of action. 28. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

"Child abuse is not merely a social evil. It is infact, a curse on any nation or society. The children in any country reflect its health and depict its future. They are infact, a force, a strength in reserve and a treasure in themselves. It is commonly acknowledged that child servitude is a harsh reality, a blot on any civilised society. But nobody seems to be concerned about the elimination of the causes and roots of the problem and its possible redress.

"Fortunately, now there is a constant growing concern regarding this issue. Academics too owe a great responsibility in this regard. This work is the result of this concern. A research based book, which this one is, should further enrich the stocks on the subject." (jacket)