SEXUAL ABUSE, RAPE, CHILD MOLESTATION
3) Defining Terms/Group Exercise Break the group into five small groups Give each group the flipchart paper you
prepared on: “What is Sexual Abuse?” “What is Rape?” “ What is Child Molestation?” “What is Sexual Harassment?” “What is Gang Rape/Line-ups?” Give the groups 10 minutes to come up with their responses. Have someone from each group report the findings. Allow each reporter five minutes. Invite feedback from the larger group.
During the discussions, explain that some people do not think
rape has anything to do with husbands and wives. But in many countries a husband who forces sex on his wife – intercourse, oral or anal sex (also called sodomy) – by physical force or threats of harm is violating her rights as a human being. Many countries are changing their laws so husbands can be charged with crimes of rape/forced sex.
Facts:
Sexual abuse
involves forced, tricked or manipulated touch or sexual contact, although sexual abuse can occur without touch – obscene phone calls or exposing one’s sexual organs are examples. Sexual abuse can also include breaking down barriers to privacy, for instance, harmful exposure of children to information or activities that exploits them and are inappropriate to their age or understanding level.Rape
is defined differently in each country. In some countries,Child molestation
is when an older person exploits a child for sexual gratification. The adult may be a family member, neighbour, acquaintance, authority figure or a stranger. The abuse is generally ongoing rather than a one-time occurrence. The offender is often a person who has influence and power in the child’s life. Children are manipulated, threatened and often forced. Child Molestation occurs between infancy and 11 years because children are most vulnerable to sexual exploitation at this age.Sexual harassment
is unwanted sexual advances with suggestive gestures, language or touching. This situation is commonly found on the streets, in the work place andsometimes in the church. For example, the person who is being harassed (employee) is subordinate to the harasser (employer). The person being harassed feels pressure to engage in
unwanted sexual relations for fear of losing a job or promotion.
Gang rape/battery
is sexual assault committed by two or more people. This is common practice in some communities and schools. A girl who consents to have sex with one boy sometimes find herself gang raped by his friends.Incest
is sexual activity between close family relatives; e.g., father and daughter/son, mother and son/daughter, brother and sister, uncle and niece, etc.After the group has exhausted the list,
introduce the guest
speaker
. Be sure that you have prepared your speaker to address the following areas:What do the laws in your community say about sexual abuse, rape, child molesting, incest, sexual harassment, gang rape, etc.?
Are the laws adequate or do they need updating?
What are the legal and social consequences to men/boys who rape?
Approximately how many cases of rape get reported each year?
Are the number of rape cases increasing or decreasing and why?
What should a woman, child or man do if he/she is sexually assaulted?
What can parents and other responsible adults in the child’s life do to keep him/her from being sexually abused?
Should parents talk to their children about sexual abuses?
What role should the church play in preventing sexual abuse?
How can we increase public awareness about this issue?
After the group has exhausted this discussion, move on to the following:
Cultural Factors Contributing to Rape
Inequality of the sexes
Media that portrays females as sex objects, property or weak creatures always needing protection.
Double standards set by society on sexual behaviour that says men must be sexually experienced but women must remain chaste.
The idea that a man’s sexual needs are more important than a woman’s.
That after a man is sexually excited to the point of having an erection, it is only natural for him to complete the act of sexual intercourse.
Cultural ideals that present rigid gender stereotypes of men as aggressive (analytical, etc.) and women as submissive (unthinking, victims, etc).
If a man spends money on a girl/woman, he may expect sexual favours, even from his daughter.
Explain a study done by an anthropologist named Dr. Sanday found cultures that were high in levels of rape had a number of features in common. Cultures low in levels of rape also had shared characteristics.
High-Rape Cultures Low-Rape Cultures
Low respect for women High respect for women Women seen as inherently High value placed on
inferior to men fertility and maternal behaviour Women viewed as property Complementary gender roles Much violence in culture Little violence in culture
Ask participants if they can think of other factors that contribute to rape? List and discuss.
Say that young men should, “Always take a no to mean no, even if he thinks the other person really means yes.”
Say to young women, “Make sure when you say no, that you mean no and that your body language also says no.”
Protecting Children and Teens against Sexual Abuse
Young people need to know that:
• no one has a right to abuse or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.
• they should respect themselves, others and expect others to respect them. • they should pay close attention to the personality of a potential
partner/mate.
• they should tell someone they trust if they are being harmedin any way.
Ask participants to think of other ways to protect children against sexual abuse. List and discuss. Ask them to brainstorm ways to avoid rape.
Examples of some ways to avoid rape and other forms of sexual abuse:
Don’t walk alone in dark places. Stick with the crowd.
Don’t leave your drinks unattended. Use common sense.
Trust your God given instincts.
Men are stimulated by what they see so be cautious how you dress. Don’t give the impression that you engage in sexual intercourse. Avoid taking rides from strangers.
Avoid being alone with a man/men in isolated places. Don’t drink.
Don’t do drugs.
Don’t feel pressured to say yes, even to a small request. Always have enough money to get home.
Don’t let people know when you are home alone.
If you think you’re being followed, go to the nearest public facility; e.g., gas station, police station, restaurant, etc.
Always be aware of your surroundings.
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