SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION OF BOYS IN SOUTH ASIA A ...

general, adolescent girls are thought to be more vulnerable to abuse than adolescent boys. 17
Male peer coercion can influence adolescent boys to perpetrate sexual violence against girls
and boys, including sexual harassment, sexual touching, rape and gang rape. 18 While
adolescent boys are subject to peer coercion, they are often more physically able to resist
unwanted sexual advances. 19 However, boys may be relatively more at risk of sexual abuse in
cultures that have barriers against having sex with females outside of marriage, strongly
protect the virginity of unmarried women and/or accept sex with boys because they cannot
become pregnant. 20
The psychological impact of sexual abuse on boys as compared to girls has not been
sufficiently addressed in South Asia or globally, and little is known. Many discussions of
psychological impact, as well as training documents for counsellors who work with victims of
child sexual abuse, do not address any possible distinctions in boys’ and girls’ response to
sexual abuse. 21 While the emotional consequences of sexual abuse to girls relative to boys are
little known, some research indicates that the sexual abuse of boys has a more observable
social impact, playing out in substance abuse, school absenteeism, violent behaviour and
petty crime. 22 Some studies show that sexual abuse of boys puts them more at risk of
becoming abusers, but this linkage has not been adequately established. Prior sexual abuse is
considered a risk factor for becoming an abuser; however, not all abusers have a history of
sexual abuse, and not all of those who are abused become abusers. The percentage of abuse
victims who become abusers is unknown.
Boys’ vulnerability to sexual abuse and exploitation is a complex subject because prevalent
conceptions of adolescent boys often reinforce the idea that they can readily protect
themselves and more easily recover than adolescent girls. Families and communities perceive
that boys are ‘stronger’ and thus more psychologically resilient. 23 This is coupled with the
reality that, even given public exposure, boys are less likely than girls to face social
discrimination and ostracism, except for boys who exhibit feminine characteristics. In some
South Asian cultures, girls and their families can be socially victimized if the girl is sexually
abused or even accused of having been abused. They can face severe reprisals, including loss
of marriage opportunities. 24
17 United Nations (Pinheiro, P.S.), 2006, ‘World Report on Violence against Children’.
18 Save the Children, 2004, ‘Child sexual abuse in South Asia: A discussion paper’.
19 Save the Children Sweden–South and Central Asia Region, 2007, ‘Mapping Save the Children’s response to
violence against children in South Asia’.
20 Save the Children Alliance, 2005, ‘10 essential learning points: Listen and speak out against sexual abuse of
girls and boys’.
21 United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1999, ‘Sexually abused and
sexually exploited children and youth in South Asia: A qualitative assessment of their health needs and available
services’; Jordans, M.J.D., 2001, ‘Specialized training manual on psychosocial counselling for trafficked youth:
Handling the trauma of sexual exploitation’; S. Seshadri, 2002, ‘A training of trainers manual on child sexual
abuse’ (draft manuscript).
22 World Health Organization (Krug, E.G. et al.), 2002, ‘World report on violence and health’.
23 Save the Children Sweden-Denmark (Slugget, C.), 2003, ‘Mapping of psychosocial support for girls and boys
affected by child sexual abuse in four countries in South and Central Asia’.
24 Ibid.
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