Breaking the culture of silence on sexual abuse

Reza Hossaini-UNICEF Representative

In recent weeks the news media seems to have reported on an increasing number of cases of sexual violence against children. This phenomenon has sparked an eclectic mix of responses from all parts of the political spectrum; responses that have been genuinely constructive, and some which have been less so.

The line of discourse has mainly been if the recent increase in trend is the result of better monitoring and reporting or because of an actual surge in incidences of sexual violence against children. The truth is we do not know, as neither have been properly studied, yet. Sadly, there has been too little consideration of what can be done to effectively prevent, respond rapidly to and protect the child victims.

Stop child abuse

The menace of abuse, including sexual violence against children, is a gross violation of children’s rights. Yet, it is a global reality across all countries and social groups. It takes the form of sexual abuse, harassment, rape or sexual exploitation in prostitution or pornography.

Lack of legal protection

In the 2006, the UN Secretary General’s report on violence against children reported that violence against children exists in every country in the world, whatever the culture, ethnic group or background they are from. And it doesn’t matter whether their families are well-educated or not, rich or poor. Violence can take place anywhere.

What’s more, even though it is clear to most people that children have rights, and need to be protected from violence so that they can grow up to be healthy adults, many countries allow violence against children to take place because lack of legal protection, poor implementation of the legislations, culture of acceptance, or because it is commonly used as a punishment.

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 were forced to have sex or experienced other forms of sexual violence during 2002. It is quite likely that these figures are grossly underestimated because of fear of reporting, stigma attached to and with reporting, sexual abuse considered as normal in a society or in the cases of sexual abuse in the institutions they are not simply recorded and reported.

Can’t we use these recent heartrending cases reported in the media to break the culture of silence that has even turned into a culture of acceptance in some communities?

Childhood innocence

Some years ago, I was asked to say a few words at the funeral of a six-year-old girl and her eight-year-old brother. Both had mercilessly been tortured for months and eventually killed by their stepmother.

On my way to the ceremony, I was thinking to myself what do I have to say to the grieving members of the families and friends, should I talk about childhood innocence? But then everyone knows children are a gift of god.

Should I talk about the inhuman act and the cruelty of a sick stepmother? Instead I talked about how we as a society let down two innocent and defenceless children.

Their father betrayed them by not seeing and picking up the signs of anguish and pain in their faces. Their neighbours let them down by not listening to their sounds of their screams and cries.

Acceptance and impunity

The health care workers failed them by not asking about the unusual repeated bruises and broken bones. And the school and teachers failed them for not noticing the repeated absence from classes.

Sadly, as a community and society we all had a role in preventing the death of those children. We did not play our part. Unfortunately for some children there is no safe place to live as sexual violence can take place in different settings.

Far too often, children experience the worst forms of violence at home, by the very same people who are supposed to protect them. Children are at risk in school and institutions such as children homes and orphanages too.

A few months ago, I heard of the story of a 13-year-old girl who had been raped by her own father. After spending few months in a safe home she was sent to an orphanage while the father is freely going about his daily business. How can a society allow an innocent child’s rights to be violated so repeatedly? How do we allow a victim to pay the ultimate price, her freedom?

We may never be able to put an end to violence against children but we can certainly put in place systems that help reduce the incidence and prevent the secondary violation of children’s rights.

First, there is a need to break this culture of silence and social taboo. As a first step we need to acknowledge that, like anywhere else in the world, the children of Sri Lanka are also exposed to sexual assault, violence and incest.

We have to plan for an awareness-raising campaign targeted the public but more specifically at the key influencers and actors at the community level.

The teachers, health workers, GN leaders have a major role in not only raising awareness on telltale signs of sexual harassment but they also have a responsibly to monitor and report.

Children themselves should be made aware of the danger signs and they should know of people or places where they can trust and go to when faced with such situations.

Zero tolerance policy

The government and local institution should have a zero tolerance action plan for sexual violence. These plans should be widely distributed among the institutions like schools, Police department and community. This zero tolerance should also include the culture of impunity which is believed to greatly contribute to the continuation of sexual violence.

Each institution that deals with children should have a zero tolerance policy on sexual violence for its staff and, should be strictly monitored.

A coordinated mechanism is needed for responding, following up and completion of inquiries into cases of sexually abused children. Justice delayed is justice denied, sadly, for a great majority of these children the delays in justice come at a great cost, including losing out on an entire education and growing up fearless in a caring family environment.

Academic institutions should join hands with the government sectors to review and study not only the scale of the problem but also help in designing effective policies and programmes for combating sexual violence and abuse.

Last but not least, creating a protective environment for children requires everyone’s active engagement. No government in the world, no matter how strong or committed, can address this issue on its own. A caring and well informed family, neighbourhood and community are the first and foremost lines of defense, and government institutions, social services providers and NGOs are of paramount importance in both prevention and response. A declaration of zero tolerance in the work place as well as at home and in the community, both for government and private sector employees, will be essential for the fight against sexual violence and abuse.