CIVIC EDUCATION ...ways of protection against sexual harassment and rape.

On today’s pupil forum in civic education, will look at a topic; ways of protection against sexual harassment and rape. At the end of this lesson, learners should be able to:

• Identify ways of protection against sexual harassment and rape

• Define rape

• Identify the causes and effects of teenage pregnancies

• Identify Institutions that

address social challenges

Ways of protection against sexual harassment and rape

• Make it clear you do not want that kind of behaviour from the person as a result, she or he has no excuse that you encouraged him or her to think that you approved his or her conduct.

• If he or she does not stop harassing you, keep a record of the incidents in a small note- book. Write them down and ask a friend to witness them. This way your friend will sup

port you.

• Discuss the problem openly and you will probably find others who have been suffering the same problem. In that way, you can make the problem known, which may stop the harasser.

• Try to make your home as se

cure as possible.

• Do not let anyone into your home if you feel in any way doubtful or suspicious.

• Try to avoid situations that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, even if you can see no real reason for your feelings.

• Try to get help from the police immediately if you know or suspect that you are in danger.

• Try to get help from someone nearby, but stay alert and use your judgment. Otherwise you may escape from your attacker only to find that the person you appealed to for help takes advantage of your vulnerability.

• If you are walking and a car

follows you or stops beside you, stay as far away from the car as possible and keep walking even if you are helping the driver by giving him direction.

• Hitch- hiking is risky especially for girls and women. If you have to take a lift, trust your judgment about the person or people in the car.

• When you travel alone using public transport, try to sit near another woman.

• Remember that most rapes are planned in advance. It is a good idea to vary your behaviour, such as the route you use and the times you take to fetch water or play with your friends.

• If you learn self-defence skills, remember that you are still vulnerable. Your attacker may have a gun or a knife, or he may simply be stronger or more skilled in martial arts than you are. Practice your selfdefence skills regularly.

Rape

• Rape is when a man/woman has unlawful sexual intercourse with a woman or girl/ man or boy without her or his consent by using force and or by means of threats or intimidation.

• Rape is legally defined as: Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her or with her consent.

Ways of Resisting Rape

One can resist rape in the following ways:

• Attention seeking tactics: shouting, screaming or trying to get someone to help.

• Non-cooperation tactics: for example, refusing to take your clothes off.

• Psychological tactics: for example, reasoning with the rapist, trying to frighten him, disgust him or gain his sympathy.

• Physical resistance: fighting

back or struggling.

**However, it is worth noting that there is no single right way of reacting, when attached by a rapist.

Causes of teenage pregnancies This is attributed to a number of factors:

• Peer pressure – Sometimes boys and girls engage in sexual activities due to peer pressure and would like to be like others. This, often result in teen pregnancies.

• Personal development - As children grow up, they develop sexual feelings and emotions, which they do not understand. As a result, they want to fulfil these urges.

• Lack of sex education - Parents should discuss sexual issues with their children.

• Influence from society and the media. For example, the type of socialization, breakdown in morals, influence of other cultures, modern songs, television and radio programmes.

• Cultural issues – In some societies, girls are married off at a tender age. The traditional preference for the boy child to go to school rather than the girl child has disadvantaged the girl