Critical to teach pupils about sexuality

LATELY there has been wide coverage of incestuous incidents. Like skeletons in the closet these abominable acts are being exposed after years of abuse.

According to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry there were 1,796 incest cases, 1,152 unnatural sex cases and 6,014 molestation cases involving children.

The father, the stepfather, uncle, brother and sometimes the grandfather are the predators. The young victim is vulnerable and trapped in the confines of the home where these deranged male family members abuse and rape her.

The girl is threatened not to report the “sexual act” to the other family members.

This goes on for years and even if the mother or other family members know about the dastardly acts, they do not do anything for fear of repercussions and loss of family income if the sole bread winner is arrested.

Two years ago there was a shocking report of how a girl had been a sex slave to her father for 12 years. The girl had been raped since she was six in her own home by her father.

The mother was unable to do anything because she was afraid of being beaten. The girl stopped bringing up the matter as every time she did that, her father would also beat up her seven siblings.

And so the girl had been yielding to the father’s lust for 12 years.

Then finally the 18-year-old girl unable to endure the rapes any longer broke her silence and confided to her teacher.

The 42-year-old father of eight was held after the daughter lodged a report.

Crimes of incestuous nature take place because no one in the family reports the crime.

The mother did not report the matter for fear that her husband would be caught and jailed.

The husband was the sole bread winner and provider for the family and so the mother played the role of an unwilling accomplice because the family depended on the man.

Two weeks ago an 18-year-old boy in Sungai Petani was charged with allegedly raping three of his sisters aged eight, nine and 14.

There were 12 children in the family – five girls and seven boys aged between three and 21.

Last week in Limbang, a grandfather, father and cousins were held over the rape of a 12year-old girl in the family. They had been raping the girl since last year.

Most of the forbidden incestuous relationships happen in poor homes because of the limited number of rooms, where all family members sleep in one room or the common hall.

Such set-ups have resulted in young girls being taken advantage of.

How many more young girls are being forced in their own homes? This must stop.

Children today are attaining puberty early due to foods and modern lifestyles. They have to be informed of the physical and sexual changes that take place in their bodies. Perverts have taken advantage of the young children, many of whom are suffering in silence.

Proper guidance on sexuality is urgent and indispensable to young children.

Schools have to play a role of educating young children on sexual advances. Sexuality and reproductive health should be taught in all primary schools.

Sex education would inform both boys and girls on the correct perspective and nature of sex and sexuality and the responsibility it entails. The module should focus on family values and protecting oneself against sexual perverts. Children would learn how to be protected and when they are being violated. It would inform the child of being wary of strangers and family members who touch forbidden parts of their body.

Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between lack of sex education and molestation and incest.

If there is a violation of the body and sexuality of the child, such despicable acts should be reported to the authorities.

Samuel Yesuiah Seremban