CHILDLINEs animation film on Child Sexual Abuse -'KOMAL' wins in the
62nd National Film Awards 2014 for Best Educational Film.
CHILDLINE
India Foundation (CIF) with Climb Media received the winner’s trophy under the
Best Educational Film category at the 62nd National Film Awards for
developing India’s foremost film on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) titled ‘Komal’.
‘Komal’ is India's first film that explains how child sexual abuse happens
and what needs to be done if such a situation occurs. Targeted at children
between 6 to 12 years and their parents/teachers, every element of the film was
researched and also vetted by a child psychologist. Using
a story in animation format the film depicts the process of targeting, grooming
of the child by the adult offender, the abuse, the feelings of guilt and
confusion in the minds of the child victim and the dilemma in the minds of
parents. The latter half of the film covers training on Safe and Unsafe touch
and Personal Safety Rules for the child.
CHILDLINE
receives the country’s largest reporting of Child Sexual Abuse cases. CHILDLINE
intervenes to help victims and ensure offenders are punished. In 2014,
CHILDLINE handled over 2500 child sexual abuse cases. Unfortunately not many
adults are open to talk about the difference between Safe Touch and Unsafe
Touch with their children. A common but rarely talked-about scourge of society
the sexual abuse of children is often neglected and ignored by most adults.
Additionally many fail to realize that children are abused often by those they
place their trust upon. To prevent such an incident, CHILDLINE developed
‘Komal’. The film is now being shown in various schools and children’s groups
so as to sensitize children in a calm and composed approach. ‘Komal’ aims to
spread awareness among parents, teachers and other care givers as well as to
engage the community to empower children to differentiate between a good touch
and a bad touch.
The film is about Komal a bright,
sensitive and happy 7 year old girl. Her new neighbour - Mr. Bakshi, who moved
in with his wife, is her father’s old friend. Komal bonds with the affable Mr.
Bakshi with whom she has a whale of a time. Until, Komal discovers Mr. Bakshi’s
bitter reality. In the movie, CHILDLINE Didi explains to children the concept
of Safe and Unsafe touch, so that they can be better equipped to protect
themselves and take help from trusted adults if ever caught in a similar
situation.
Komal has been featured on various news channels and on across social
media in many countries. It is widely used for screenings at housing societies
and theatre groups in many cities in India. Over
time, 'Komal' has been recognized at various platforms nationally and
internationally. The film was awarded the Best Animation Awards under
International category at the 8th Filmsaaz 2015 Awards, 2nd Prize at the Flying
Elephant Festival Animation and Short films competition 2015 under Best PSA
category and FICCI Best Animated Frames (BAF) Award in 2014 under the Animated
Short Film - Professional (International) category. It was also recognized as
the official selection for the 8th edition of Psarokokalo International Short
Film Festival in Greece and the Animarte Festival, 2014 in Brazil.
Click here to watch ‘Komal’ - http://www.childlineindia.org.in/1098/Child-sexual-abuse-Csa-animation-videos.html
Read More on our little start KOMAL here:
