Bitter Chocolate, Pinki Virani
Bitter Chocolate, Pinki Virani
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Bitter Chocolate
Child Sexual Abuse In India

Author: Pinki Virani

Narrator: Zinobia Mody

Unabridged: 9 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/19/2019


Synopsis

A book that challenges our notions of family honour and morality Sometime, somewhere, the conspiracy of silence around Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Indian homes had to be shattered. This path-breaking book'the first of its kind in the country and subcontinent'attempts to give that sexually abused child a powerful voice. It provides damning disclosures about men, and some women, in middle and upper-class families who sexually abuse their children, then silence them into submission. Based on studies, reports and investigation, this book reveals that a minimum of twenty per cent of girls and boys under the age of sixteen are regularly being sexually abused; half of them in their own homes, by adults who have the child's trust. In Bitter Chocolate, journalist and best-selling author Pinki Virani travels across the country to record the testimonies of the police, doctors, child psychologists, mental health professionals, social workers, lawyers and the traumatized victims themselves. The book opens with an account'brave and devoid of self-pity'of the author's own experience. Going beyond blaming, Pinki Virani then proceeds with her insightful analysis of the issue in three notebooks. The first spells out what constitutes CSA, why and how this happens, its devastating after-effects which haunt the victims as they grow into adulthood. The second notebook describes these effects through two real-life stories of women who were betrayed as children by men of their family. The third provides practical solutions on how to counter CSA, including a framework involving the law, the parent and their child. A special chapter addresses adults who have never before disclosed their sexual abuse as children. Plus: a nationally coordinated helpline. Accessible yet comprehensive, Bitter Chocolate is written for the young parent and guardian, principal and teacher, judge and police, lawyer and public prosecutor, teenager and tomorrow's citizen.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sonny on November 25, 2007

When I looked at the majority of other people's ratings for this book, I am not surprised. Most people rate this book with a 1 or 2 out of 5. Which, to me, makes perfect sense. This book is extremely painful to read. When I read it I was living in India and it made it that much harder to believe and......more

Goodreads review by Marcy on September 12, 2015

I wish I could give this book more stars because I think it is an important one and, unfortunately, it is the only book on the market that deals with child sexual abuse in India. The first part of the book I thought was quite good--especially the variety of case studies. But then there was just too......more

Goodreads review by Kripa on May 22, 2019

This is the unspoken truth about Sexual abuse in India. We are part of an age old ancestry,culture and heritage, that people don't speak up in fear of being judged and mocked at. Honestly I can't imagine the amount of incest cases that are blatantly strewn across ,that the Indian law and order purpos......more

Goodreads review by Sindhu on May 13, 2014

Every parent, read this book. Please. It left a bitter taste in my mouth, but it was necessary. Actually, everyone in the country should read this book. My 24 year old neighbour, who's getting married next year and saw the book in ny hand and said, "what a boring topic!" please read this before you h......more

Goodreads review by Aanchal on November 09, 2020

The book was published 20 years ago and remains to be relevant till date. It certainly is a subject that's spoken about, with alot of trepidation in Indian homes. Would request everyone to read it, especially those who want to become parents at some point in their lives. The level of indoctrination......more