India starts to talk about child sexual abuse

A victim's powerful memoir sheds light on a largely hidden issue

Rituparna Chatterjee's brave memoir "The Water Phoenix" has helped to bring the issue of child sexual abuse into the open in India. (Courtesy of Bloomsbury India/Rituparna Chatterjee)

ROSEMARY MARANDI, Contributing writer

November 10, 2021 08:00 JST

GOA, India -- For years during her childhood, Indian journalist and author Rituparna Chatterjee suffered sexual abuse from adults who were responsible for creating a safe space for her.

Chatterjee's experiences, graphically recounted in her book "The Water Phoenix," were horrific. But she is far from alone. For many children growing up India the "safe space" that should be provided by their homes is where they are most vulnerable.