15% of Lebanese Children Sexually Abused

[Learned]

15 percent of children sexually abused: poll
Ministers 'to address problem

BEIRUT: A survey of 1,025 children across Lebanon has found that over 15 percent of those polled experienced some form of sexual abuse before or after the 2006 summer war with Israel. Most of these abuses, according to the study, occurred in the child's own home.

The survey, conducted by Save the Children Sweden and KAFA - Enough Violence and Exploitation, found that 16.1 percent of the children surveyed had experienced at least one form of sexual abuse. The average age of the child victim was 10.3 years old.

According to the rights groups' investigation, the incidence of child sexual abuse was not affected by gender, religion, or level of family education.

"The study reveals, as most global studies have found, that a large proportion of these children are sexually harassed and violated by the people closest to them," Ruba Khoury, country manager for Save the Children Sweden, said in prepared remarks at the Beirut Bar Association Friday, during a presentation of the study's findings.

"The basic fact," she said, "is that children need the support of adults; if they have been violated and sexually abused they need care and support for a long time to regain confidence and trust in the adult world as well as in themselves."

The study defined sexual abuse as "subjection to direct sexual acts," "subjection to indirect sexual acts" or attempts at either of the two.

Speaking with The Daily Star, Khoury called the findings "alarming" due to of the perceived importance of family values and social and cultural protections in Lebanon.

But the level of abuse, she added, was no worse than in many other countries.

The study, the first of its kind in Lebanon, also researched the prevalence of child sexual abuse during the month-long 2006 summer war. Nearly 5 percent of the children polled alluded to some form of sexual abuse during the conflict. The majority of the abuse targeted boys.

Social Affairs Minister Mario Aoun, who attended the conference Friday, told The Daily Star that the problem of child sexual abuse in Lebanon is of "special and major importance."

He said that he was organizing and working with a team of advisers and ministers "to address the problem ... [and] to protect the children."

Aoun added, that among other things, he had issued a directive to provide assistance to victims of sexual abuse.

Khoury praised the government's proactive stance. "The government has been very supportive providing all the resources we need," she said.

Lebanon became party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991 and signed on to additional protocols in 2002 and 2004, but the prevalence of abuse, the social stigma related to reporting abuse and certain difficulties in enforcement continue to present significant hurdles. "Lots of cases are still going unreported," Ghida Anani, a program coordinator for KAFA and a co-author of the study, told The Daily Star.

In addition, the findings showed that cases of sexual abuse involving girl victims were treated with greater secrecy. And focus group discussions (FDGs) held in conjunction with the study revealed that many victims were reluctant to identify their abusers, particularly if the abuser was a family member.

Khoury said that Save the Children was working on a helpline, preparing trainers, and creating more programs to elevate awareness of the problem in families and schools.

Anani, whose group, KAFA, works with Save the Children, cited similar initiatives including boosting the number of front line personnel, increasing support to victims and advocating for a new child protection law.

"We need clear legal measures [to protect children]," she said, "but we are also for the psychological rehabilitation of the abuser ... healing the abuser."


The Daily Star - Lebanon News - 15 percent of children sexually abused: poll

There are so many stigmas in Lebanese society that people just aren't informed about. Children often times have no one to turn to if they are being sexually abused, especially when the abuser is a family member. This is especially true in the case of girls, who often feel ashamed and tarnished after being sexually abused, and prefer to hide it to save themselves public scrutiny and embarrassment.

Also, I don't believe in this "healing the abuser" thing, especially if they themselves haven't been victims of sexual abuse in the past because there is no excuse for this depraved crime. Most abusers do not suffer from any type of recognized psychological illness. If they are deemed mentally compitnat to stand trial, they should be convicted and locked away in a cold, dark place where they will never be near a child again.

I hope that much is accomplished in regards to sexual abuse of children in the very near future. I believe that in addition to new enforced laws and organizations dedicated to providing help and assistance to victims of sexual abuse, we need to educate the children themselves (this should be done in schools) that such things are not appropriate for adults to do to them, and they should be taught how to seek help (who to go to, who to call, who to talk to, etc) if they are indeed sexually abused.

[shadow1]

One of the horrors stories I was told on this subject is about a 12 year old girl whose mother noticed her belly growing. When they took her to the doctor to be examined it was found out that she was pregnant. The perpetrator turned out to be the father.

To save the family honour her brother shot her and the father dead. When the police came to investigate the brother was asked why he shot the girl and if he had only killed the father it would have been understood. But in the typical way the police treat these matters, the brother was let go without any charges and it was considered to be an honour killing crime, hence deserving of all the praise a sick society affords to protect its honour.

[lady_forever]

What a tragedy to hear about kids being abused sexually by their own parents,and not only that i witness lots of kids thrown on streets to sell chewing gums or whatever and if they come back home without having enough money they would be punished by not having any food or beaten so hard that bruses are left all over their body...what a world we are living in where no mercy in people's heart just cruelty and which annoys me and frustrate me that it is done by their own parents...so when is that all going to stop.what measures should be taken to stop that.are some people mentally ill to do that with thir own kids...i just wonder

[Dalzi]

I blame women first and foremost if they're daughters are abused by the fathers who get away with their crimes. It's the mother's duty to first know who she's with, to protect her children, and to kill anyone who'd do such a thing to her child.

One of the horrors stories I was told on this subject is about a 12 year old girl whose mother noticed her belly growing. When they took her to the doctor to be examined it was found out that she was pregnant. The perpetrator turned out to be the father.

To save the family honour her brother shot her and the father dead. When the police came to investigate the brother was asked why he shot the girl and if he had only killed the father it would have been understood. But in the typical way the police treat these matters, the brother was let go without any charges and it was considered to be an honour killing crime, hence deserving of all the praise a sick society affords to protect its honour.

This story fills you with nothing but rage. Poor child. What we yet need to hear is that they've gone back to the habits of burrying baby girls alive. The world is truly sick beyond repair . Do you know how old the brother is?

[Learned]

Originally Posted by Dalzi

I blame women first and foremost if they're daughters are abused by the fathers who get away with their crimes. It's the mother's duty to first know who she's with, to protect her children, and to kill anyone who'd do such a thing to her child.

Dalzi, every situation is unique. Both parents have duties to protect their children and keep them away from those who would do them harm, this is something we can all agree upon. However, often times if a father (or uncle or brother) abuses a child, they will try to hide it from the mother, and scare the child into not telling his/her mother. In other circumstances, if the mother finds out or witnesses the act, she could be subjected to physical abuse and other forms of intimidation/blackmail to keep her from taking action. I'm not saying that this justifies a mother's inaction and failing to protect her child, but I could understand the fear of a mother in such a circumstance.

You know the mentality of some men in this country with respect to their "honor". If word gets out that they abused their own children, I do not put it beyond them to resort to deadly means in order to get revenge on those who exposed them.

This is why I believe that much needs to be done in terms of providing services to families whose members are victims of sexual abuse, as well as passing tougher laws and enforcing them in order to protect families from the abuser. If a mother fears that authorities will not act on her complaint against a husband or whoever, she will probably refrain from complaining against an abuser out of fear for her own life and that of her children.

[Frisbeetarian]

Being sexually abused renders you feable in front of your insecurities. It can alter the disscourse of your life. Its a stain, a horrifying undecaying mental stain, that will keep on pounding in your head, ever repeating the ever so dreadful and demoralizing words " you are cheap...you are cheap", it will spark a vicious cycle that will break your spirits and render you into an empty shell, macabre ridden. It is such a burden on ones conscience that one ceases to exist and just becomes a hidden proclamation of what the stain tells him to be; the unreal reality of ones self, the impact of being sexually abused.

[lady_forever]

Originally Posted by Learned

Dalzi, every situation is unique. Both parents have duties to protect their children and keep them away from those who would do them harm, this is something we can all agree upon. However, often times if a father (or uncle or brother) abuses a child, they will try to hide it from the mother, and scare the child into not telling his/her mother. In other circumstances, if the mother finds out or witnesses the act, she could be subjected to physical abuse and other forms of intimidation/blackmail to keep her from taking action. I'm not saying that this justifies a mother's inaction and failing to protect her child, but I could understand the fear of a mother in such a circumstance.

You know the mentality of some men in this country with respect to their "honor". If word gets out that they abused their own children, I do not put it beyond them to resort to deadly means in order to get revenge on those who exposed them.

This is why I believe that much needs to be done in terms of providing services to families whose members are victims of sexual abuse, as well as passing tougher laws and enforcing them in order to protect families from the abuser. If a mother fears that authorities will not act on her complaint against a husband or whoever, she will probably refrain from complaining against an abuser out of fear for her own life and that of her children.

If it is the case that women are scared to report that to police due to feeling afraid of her husband's reaction.or whoever,i won't justify her act at all due to fear .A mum should protect her girls with her life no matter what it takes even if it is to shoot him dead this is what i would do if God forbids ever happened to one of my girls.

[Dalzi]

Originally Posted by Learned

Dalzi, every situation is unique. Both parents have duties to protect their children and keep them away from those who would do them harm, this is something we can all agree upon. However, often times if a father (or uncle or brother) abuses a child, they will try to hide it from the mother, and scare the child into not telling his/her mother. In other circumstances, if the mother finds out or witnesses the act, she could be subjected to physical abuse and other forms of intimidation/blackmail to keep her from taking action. I'm not saying that this justifies a mother's inaction and failing to protect her child, but I could understand the fear of a mother in such a circumstance.

That after her child being sexually molested? Are you serious? Fear? lol Is there anything more horrific? Scared to die? Cowardly behaviour is the reason why men tend to think they can get away with abusing both women and children.

You know the mentality of some men in this country with respect to their "honor". If word gets out that they abused their own children, I do not put it beyond them to resort to deadly means in order to get revenge on those who exposed them.

That is why immediate action should be taken and their lives should end the moment they are uncovered. No room for delaying, no room for questioning. Those who abuse their own flesh and blood have no room in society.

This is why I believe that much needs to be done in terms of providing services to families whose members are victims of sexual abuse, as well as passing tougher laws and enforcing them in order to protect families from the abuser. If a mother fears that authorities will not act on her complaint against a husband or whoever, she will probably refrain from complaining against an abuser out of fear for her own life and that of her children.

Again, no excuses for that. It is those weaklings whom with their sissiness pave the way for further abuse. I know that where I'm from no one can get away with something like that. The last time it happened his kids chopped him and threw him in the field. Gross yes, but he deserved it. I have no idea how they were able to perform that horror. I think they take after their dad afterall... Gosh many humans are much more lucky than they realize.

There sure needs to be tougher laws because this is a very critical issue. It's not the retarted adults that you worry about, but the little victims, the children whose lives will never be the same after they're abused by those in whose arms they're supposed to find shelter from fear and harm. The most important person is a little girl's life is her father. Imagine what harm he'd inflict on her if he turns out to be a devil? I'm disgusted.

On another note, don't you think that 15% is too huge of a number? It can't be a correct percentage. That's too much.

[Claudia]

Poor children. I am so sorry for those who pass through these situations. I can't really imagine the trauma, pain and stress they must feel :(
The article says 15% of the Lebanese children are sexually abused but many others are being verbally abused and that's bad as well.

I am to forgive those who sin against me. But I don't have to forgive those who sin against others. I am against revenge because the Lord tell us "Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back", but I am for standing for the right thing to do.
And if a man tried to touch a child of mine, I can assure you that he wouldn't do that again and the justice against him would be strict, powerful and unforgettable.

I am with Dalzi when she says mothers are to protect their girls. I don't want to jugde any mother even those who close their eyes to the reality, we don't know the real reason why she didn't take measures... Maybe she has other children and she is afraid if her husband take them from her forever, or maybe her education at home was very deficient and she can't really understand what is going on... What I can say is that a real good mother will always protect her children no matter what.

[beirutiye]

I think 15% is so much exagerated!!!!
There are mentally sick and criminal people who do things to their kids!! I can't imagine the pain those kids go through when they experience soemthing like that.. The mother should never ever hush if she know that there is sexual abuse even if she is extorted or threatened!!!! Its her kid for God's sake!!!!!!!!!!!!