2. “ My grandfather physically harass me when I deliver food
to him on his land near our house every day, and I have to
keep quiet because he is grandfather and I am afraid to
talk to anyone about the matter, and I can no longer stand
the harassment because my health conditions have
become bad .”
A 12-year-old victim of sexual harassment
says:
3. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE DEFINITION:
• Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult,
adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child,
that is sexual abuse.
4. THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF CHILD SEXUAL
ABUSE:
Touching includes touching a child’s genitals, making a child touch someone
else’s genitals.
Non-touching abuse includes showing pornography to a child, exposing a
person’s genitals to a child, photographing a child in sexual poses,
encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person or on a
video, and/or watching a child undress or use the bathroom.
5. WHO IS A CHILD MOLESTER?
• Many people think that harassment comes from strangers, but
according to statistics, only 7% of harassers are strangers, 59%
are acquaintances and friends, and 34% are family members,
and therefore most cases of harassment are by a person known
to the child He is trusted, such as people who take care of
children, servants, drivers, or neighbors and friends of parents,
as well as children of the same age or older.
6. The negative effects of sexual harassment on the growth and
development of the child:
After any sexual harassment, the child is accompanied by several symptoms such as:
psychological symptoms such as fear, distraction and lack of focus.
physical symptoms such as the inability to walk as a result of scratches in the body
and visible signs confirming the child’s exposure to sexual abuse.
behavioral symptoms such as involuntary urination, disturbing dreams, screaming,
sleep and eating disorders, loss of appetite and low Educational attainment, and may
reach the child’s refusal to go to school and hatred of the harasser.
7. CHILD SEXUAL HARASSMENT STATISTICS IN
PALESTINE:
• In a field survey conducted by the Center in 2006 on a sample of 3,000 children in
the West Bank and Gaza Strip on violence against children, and with regard to
sexual abuse, it was found that: 6% of children were exposed to revealing their
genitals (3.8% of them were exposed once 5.7% of the children were cuddled for
sexual purposes, (2.9% were exposed once) 6.5% of the children were touched
their genitals, (2.9% were exposed once), and 8.1% of the children were pushed to
do disgraceful things such as verbal abuse , (3.9% of them paid once), 6% of
children were forced to watch bad pictures (2.7% of them forced once) 4.7% of
children were excessively kissed (2% of them were once) 3.2% were raped, ( 1.1%
of them were exposed once).
8. 10 WAYS TO TEACH CHILDREN TO SPEAK UP ABOUT
SEXUAL ABUSE:
1. Talk about body parts early.
2. Teach them that some body parts are
private.
3. Teach your child body boundaries
4. Tell your child that body secrets are not
okay.
5. Tell your child that no one should take
pictures of their private parts.
6. Teach your child how to get out of scary or
uncomfortable situations.
7. Have a code word your children can use when they
feel unsafe or want to be picked up.
8. Tell your children they will never be in trouble if they
tell you a body secret.
9. Tell your child that a body touch might tickle or feel
good.
10. Tell your child that these rules apply even with people
they know and even with another child.