Findings from a study of Intellectually-Challenged Children has revealed that they are five times more likely to be victims of sexual violence than other children, according to a research study on the “Extent and Dynamics of Sexual Violence among Intellectually Challenged Children and Young People.”
The programe was organised by the World Population Foundation (WPF) in collaboration with the Sindh Social Welfare Department (SWD) recently at Karachi. The aim was to provide a platform for sharing the results of a project titled “Knowing Abuse” launched by WPF to design future strategies to decrease the incidence of sexual violence among mentally-challenged people. SWTI Principal Shehzadi Baloch, WPF Country Representative Qadeer Baig, Kiran Vocational Centre’s Brother Younis, Family Educational Services Foundation’ Richard Geary and UNICEF’s Zohra Nisar Ahmed spoke at the programme where Qurban Ali Memon, Coordinator of the Social Welfare Department, Sindh, was the Chief guest.
Cyma Ashraf, WPF Programme Manager shared her findings through a detailed presentation on the “Extent and Dynamics of Sexual Violence among Intellectually Challenged Children and Young People.” She said that a general discomfort was observed during focus group discussions that comprised parents, teachers, doctors, nurses and lady health visitors who have been working with intellectually challenged children but are hesitant to accept or discuss the problem.
The purpose of the project is also to conduct a better research study and encourage capacity building with NGOs and urge the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Social Welfare for an advocacy training to understand the extent of sexual violence and reproductive health problems faced by intellectually challenged young people. “Reproductive health rights are also human rights and we must pledge on the Universal Human Rights Day to recognise rights of the intellectually challenged on this day as well,” Qadeer Baig, Country Representative WPF.
Sharing a common belief that intellectually challenged children are either seen as a gift of God (or a curse of God), Cyma told the audience that such children are often left alone without any supervision which gives offenders an opportunity to manipulate and exploit them sexually. “Parents and social workers are of the belief that since special children are innocent no one can harm or exploit them. This belief leaves them more vulnerable,” she explained.
“The lack of understanding of the situation of sexual violence among the intellectually challenged and lack of awareness or education among the family members often results in beating by other members of the household, who refuse to accept that their child has been subjected to abuse and if they do they prefer to hush up the case and let their children suffer in silence” she said.
Her key findings also identified vulnerable offenders and places where the incidence of sexual violence was the highest. Among the cases reported, half of the offenders were family members, followed by paid care-givers and other people with disabilities. Home (37%) was identified as one of the most vulnerable place, followed by schools (28%) and neighbours (27%). However, Cyma was of the opinion that young people are more vulnerable in schools where they spend most of their time without any close supervision by a trusted family member. She also mentioned that 80% of the offenders are young children themselves who begin exploiting other children between the ages of 8 to 12 years.
Richard Geary, Executive Director Family Service Educational Foundation, who works with children with hearing and speech disability said his experiences with special people was relatively different since they cannot be exactly categorised as ‘mentally challenged’. “There might be some reservation when the assailant attacks a deaf child because he/she is intellectually sound.” In his address he cited the ignorance of parents or guardians behind the high incidence of sexual abuse among mentally challenged people. “Secrecy, shame and fear keeps them from discussing the issue.” Among other speakers were Zohra, Programme Officer UNICEF and Father Younus from a rehabilitation centre ‘Kiran Vocational Centre’ that is supporting the project.