Sexual Abuse in the Educational Field
Sexual abuse in children/teneengers.
Investigation of child sexual abuse is complex as it remains taboo and difficult to disclose in many settings. Methodological challenges include, for example, varying definitions of what constitutes “abuse” and what is considered “childhood” and/or “adolescence” and the question of whether to take into account differences in age or background. power between victim and perpetrator.
Intimidation and sexual violence in schools, colleges and places of study.
Sexual violence, including sexual intimidation, frequently occurs in supposedly “safe” institutions, such as schools, where some of the perpetrators include peers or teachers.
Studies from various parts of the world, including Africa, South Asia and Latin America, have documented that substantial proportions of girls report being sexually intimidate and abused on the way to or from school or on the way to school. same school or college facilities, including bathrooms, classrooms, and dormitories, and that the perpetrators were classmates or teachers.
For example, in a study in primary schools in the Machinga district of Malawi, female students reported experiencing various types of sexual harassment and abuse at school, including sexual remarks (7.8%), sexual touching (13.5%) ), “rape” (2.3%) and “coerced or unwanted” sexual intercourse (1.3%). That same study found that teachers at 32 of 40 schools reported knowing a male teacher at their school who had proposed to a student, while teachers at 26 of 40 schools reported that a male teacher at their school had gotten pregnant. to a student
As an example of a high-income setting, a nationally representative (online) study of middle and high school students in the United States found that a majority of the 1,002 girls surveyed reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment at school during the 2010-2011 school year.
What are the best methods to combat sexual abuse?
While in the past methods of combating sexual violence have largely focused on the criminal justice system, there is now a general movement towards a public health approach that recognizes that violence is not the result of a single factor but rather It is caused by multiple risk factors that interact at the individual, relational, community, and societal levels. Therefore, tackling sexual violence requires the cooperation of various sectors, such as health, education, social welfare and criminal justice. The public health approach seeks to extend care and security to the entire population and places primary emphasis on prevention, while ensuring that victims of violence have access to appropriate services and support.
Effective interventions to prevent sexual violence The evidence base is extremely limited for effective interventions to prevent sexual violence. Some interventions aimed at preventing sexual violence against children have been applied in a limited number of high-income countries through registration of local sex offenders and notification to communities about it, residency restrictions for sex offenders (for example, ban on living near schools) and electronic surveillance of sex offenders.
A review and critique of these policies suggests that they are largely based on myths rather than evidence about sexual violence and coercion, and have been ineffective in preventing sexual crimes or protecting children.
Other interventions aimed at preventing sexual violence or violence against girls and women in general are designed to take place in schools, higher education institutions and universities. Various strategies to prevent dating violence among young people in high-income countries have been rigorously evaluated and some evidence suggests that they may be effective.
Some school-based initiatives in low- and middle-income countries have also shown promise in reducing levels of sexual harassment and abuse, particularly if they use comprehensive approaches that reach all schools and communities.
While youth-focused interventions in schools are vital, there are other possible points of intervention, such as homes; for example, prenatal and postnatal home visiting programs have been shown to reduce the risks of physical and psychological abuse and neglect of children. These forms of abuse are known risk factors for sexual violence perpetration and victimization later in life.
Health care settings and services are also potential entry points for the prevention of sexual violence, particularly when addressing parenting, child abuse and alcohol misuse. Other promising initiatives include community mobilization strategies to promote changes in gender norms and behaviors and community efforts aimed at improving the social and economic situation of women.
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Pan American Health Organization.