There has been a spate of crimes against minors in Goa recently. The reaction of locals in Siolim and Rivona where two recent allegations of sexual abuse of minors were made was conniving. While law must take its own course and the issue of protecting the accused for reasons social, religious or political merits another column by itself, this article focuses on a powerful preventive measure against child sexual abuse that is completely brushed under the carpet.
We jump for punitive measures - which is justified too but we must also work on preventive measures. Where is sex education in our syllabus? Activists have advocated complete overhaul of the almost non-existent sex education syllabus in Indian schools time and again. A greater awareness of the body followed up by a scientific and rational discussion of related subjects can curb child sexual abuse, help children identify predators, save them from falling into a vicious cycle of silent trauma and prevent complications of STDs and unwanted pregnancies.
Most political parties, however, have opposed this suggestion tooth and nail. In June 2014, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated on his website that sex education must be banned in schools. He suggested that the same be replaced by value education. Earlier, he had suggested that fidelity aced condoms in preventing AIDS. The ridiculousness of such statements is so funny that it is sad.
More and more infants, toddlers and school children are being sexually mauled and murdered. The rising instances of gory crimes should be a reason enough to start sexual sensitization early on. Erasing the stigma, coyness and silence associated with such taboo subjects will not just make it easier for victims to report crimes and deal with their struggle, it will also empower men, women and children to be aware of their rights and nip abuse in the bud.
School children “ as young as those in kindergarten “ also need to be made aware of their body. They should be given guidance on differentiating the right touch from wrong can and this can start as early as two years of age by parents. Educational institutes can also make a lot of difference if given a chance. However, policy changes aren’t forthcoming.
Do we, as educators even utter anything to do with sex in the classroom? Do we clarify and guide our youngsters? No. At home, do we as parents engage in a frank and honest discussion that will ultimately encourage our children to trust us instead of hiding abuse out of shame and fear? Do we discuss the pitfalls of unprotected sex?
We rather flip channels when advertisements of sanitary napkins, family planning, contraceptives and condoms show up. Most of us simply roll our eyes, ignore the essential truth and continue to endorse that the stork carried the baby. But, when a child is sexually abused, we are quick to rake up our sense of justice, propriety, pride and culture. This hypocrisy will take us nowhere.
Adults must make themselves accountable to the consequences of their dual behaviour. Most parents assume their teenage sons and daughters will find the necessary knowledge through their peers or from the internet. However, the internet is also a treasure trove of wrong information and deviant sexual behavior. Entrusting such a vital responsibility to technology is complete escapism. Unless and until a responsible adult handholds a youngster, such aimless self-study can yield disastrous results.
The discussion on sexual abuse is mainly from a feminist point of view, where victims are women and the perpetrators are men. However, young boys are also often victims and it becomes way more difficult for them to report these crimes because of the unrealistic expectations stuffed in the bubble of machoism.
A report compiled by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) published in September 2014 said that 82 cases of child abuse were registered in three months that year. Sexual abuse topped these complaints. Significantly, 40 victims were boys while 42 were girls. This statistic highlights the need to involve young boys and men more proactively in gender discussions and sex education. Patriarchal tendencies and a culture knee-deep in gender stereotypes often fails to acknowledge the glaring need to protect the mind, body and soul of young boys because they are equally, if not more, susceptible to sexual abuse.
An excellent ad campaign, “Ladke Rote Nahin” serves a dual purpose. First, it rejects the widespread saying: “Boys don’t cry” and encourages cultivation of emotional sensitivity in men. Second, it promotes a strong message against domestic violence. In the advertisement, men and women alike - friends, colleagues, parents and grandparents repeat “Boys don’t cry” matter-of-factly to sobbing males of all age groups - from toddlers, school kids and even youth. The ad ends with a scene of domestic violence. Then, a popular actor says that instead of telling boys to suppress their emotions, it would be better to make more sensitive.
