Some stories never reach the news, but they live quietly inside a child’s heart. I knew a girl who used to be very bubbly. But every time her uncle visited, her smile disappeared. She’d hide behind her mother, trembling. Her mom once asked, “Why are you always scared of him? You can tell me, beta.” Those words "you can tell me" gave her courage. With tears in her eyes, she whispered, “Mom… I don’t like it when my uncle comes to my room at night and touches me. I tell him to stop, but he says he loves me like his own child.” 

Her mother froze. And instead of holding her, she said, “Don’t say such things. He’s family. Think about our reputation.” The girl stood there, confused. She thought telling the truth would make her safe. But her mom scolded her instead and the next day, her uncle still came home. Still smiled at the dining table. Still walked into her room. 

Just pause for a second. Imagine an eight-year-old being abused every single night and unable to do anything about it. Gradually, she stopped interacting with people. And at the age of 12, she ran away from home. Never to return. 

And this isn’t just a story. But a true incident of my neighbour’s daughter and my very amazing friend. The same friend I played with every evening. I was nine when she told me she was scared of her uncle. I didn’t understand back then. But when I heard she ran away, I finally did. And even now, years later, I still wonder — could things have been different if someone had just listened? I know some of you might think, “But that must have been long ago. We’ve come so far.” So let me tell you this: In 2018, 109 children were sexually abused every single day in India. By 2023, the number had increased to 192. 

I don’t understand that at home, children stay quiet because families care more about reputation than truth. At school, they stay quiet because grades and syllabus matter more than safety and trust. And in society, they stay quiet because we taught them that silence keeps peace. So tell me, where should a child go when every door is closed? Where do they take their fear, their pain, their truth when we refuse to hear it? We say “children need a voice,” but I believe they already have one. What they really need are people who listen, people who won’t judge, who won’t shame, who will simply believe and create a safe space. And a safe space doesn’t start in big organizations or fancy policies. It starts at home, in your room, in your classroom, in one small moment of trust. 

And I know… even after hearing this, some might still tease a child for crying, or dismiss a story as “drama.” But remember this, out of every 100 children, 53 have faced some form of abuse. And maybe, one of them is suffering because you chose not to listen. Therefore, please don’t let another child lose their voice like my friend did. Create a safe space for every child. Because sometimes, saving one child’s trust is saving an entire childhood.

Astha Chaubey, Flame University