Around 60 percent of young girls face sexual harassment during adolescence, reveals a research conducted by the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum. The survey records views of most women underlining the need for special law to address sexual harassment at public places.
Specialists feel that unwanted sexual experiences during adolescence can have harmful impact on a person’s sexual health later in life.
“Due to the trauma, normal behavior is hampered.”
The survey shows that almost sixty percent women face sexual harassment at public places between the ages of 11 and 17, while around six percent face sexual abuse before the age of 6 and 15.26 percent before reaching the age of ten.
Secretary of Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Nasima Akhter Jolly, said: “Many of the sexual abuses are not limited to sexual suggestions or innuendoes, some also involve inappropriate body touches.”
While facing sexual harassment, says the survey, the response of 64.54 percent was silence while 11 percent talked on behalf of the victims.' We need a coordinated law to prevent sexual harassment and unless this is stopped, child marriage cannot be prevented', said Akhtar Jolly.
Once the issue is addressed at workplace and academic institutes, prevention will be easier.
Director of Save the Children’s Child Rights and Governance Abdullah Al Mamun, observed: “We need to teach children about behavior that is acceptable and what is not. Children should also be given lessons on protection from and prevention of, any abuse.'
Professor Tajul Islam of National Institute of Mental Health Institute and Hospital, said: “Sexual molestation during adolescence harms children the most. Sexual harassment at public places indicates a perverted frame of mind.”
Between ages 11 and 17, children undergo hormonal changes and they learnt to adapt to changed environments; during that crucial time, if a child is faced with negative experiences the impact leaves a long lasting scar on the psyche.”