Boys more prone to violence, sexual abuse, study shows
Children who have witnessed or experience violence and sexual abuse are at risk of developing emotional, social, and behavioral problems. Around the world, one in six boys experiences sexual abuse; many more are exploited or exposed to inappropriate sexual materials.
in the Philippines, the 2016 national Baseline Study on Violence against Children noted that one in four children (24.9 percent) suffer from any form of sexual violence in any setting. Sexual violence occurs more often on boys (28.7 percent) than girls (20.1 percent).
The study also noted one in five children aged 13 to 17 experienced sexual violence, while one in 25 experienced rape during childhood.
in 2018, the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA), which participated in a global scoping study “Caring for Boys Affected by Sexual Violence,” found that boys’ experiences in school, their use and exposure to multimedia content and the influence of their peers have a bigger impact in shaping their views.
Safer children
Boys’ exposure to pornography also has a great impact on their understanding and shaping of their sexuality, sexual behavior, and their engagement in sex.
Cultural definitions of the roles of males and the expectations and assumptions for boys to be manly can increase their exposure and vulnerability to abuse, and this makes them far less likely than girls to report abuse or ask for help and support when abused. These factors affect the ways in which boys view and experience available services.
Boys who experience abuse suffer from long-term physical and mental harm and are more likely to have problems in their future relationships.
The CPTCSA, which has been working towards a safer world for children for over 20 years in the Philippines, said the qualitative study also noted that boys have varying influences regarding their views on sexuality and on being male, and these can affect their potential perpetration or victimization regarding abuse.
“The experiences of boys on abuse and violence have negative consequences on their lives, and the effects can be felt throughout all of society,” said Zenaida rosales, executive director of CPTCSA.
She said, “The time has come for us to look at the realities of boys and do something about it.”
The CPTCSA is part of the Family for every Child Global Alliance in initiating the Blue Umbrella day (BUD) campaign, an international day to encourage parents, communities, and societies to protect boys and nurture them in ways that best support their wellbeing.
“This is a campaign to raise awareness and change social norms on how to better care for boys and protect them from all forms of abuse including sexual violence,” said rosales. Apart from the Philippines, the campaign will also be launched in india, Paraguay and Guyana.
The Philippine BUD campaign, which is supported by 12 government agencies and six international ngos, kicked off this month with online forums that highlighted the need to lift the discourse on the empowerment of boys.
The BUD campaign hopes to engage the United nations into adopting the movement into an international day of advocacy on the care, protection and empowerment of boys worldwide.
The CPTCSA advocates for a safe world for children free from sexual abuse and exploitation and is part of the london-based Family for every Child Global Alliance in initiating the campaign to “encourage parents, communities, and societies to protect boys and nurture them in ways that best support their well-being.”
The organization also runs rapha helpline that has trained counselors who offer free online care and support 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.
Those in need of emotional assistance and guidance may reach them via Globe (M-F): 0977-6520230; and Viber: Monday: 0961-7182654; Tuesday and Thursday: 0961-7182658; and Wednesday and Friday: 0961-7182655.