Manama: A new confidential survey has revealed a shocking level of sexual harassment and abuse in Bahrain.
The Internet poll conducted by Child’s Wish Society countrywide surveyed 196 Bahraini nationals aged 12 to 40 years.
Eighty-seven per cent of the participants said that they were sexually harassed or abused around the age of five, said a report in our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej.
The eight-week study revealed that close relatives were involved in 101 cases of sexual harassment and assault, making up 59.1pc.
Foreigners were cited by 23.4pc of the victims, followed respectively by neighbours and friends.
The shocking results showed that 88pc preferred to keep silent, out of fear, timidity, shame or not knowing what to do at such tender age.
“The study has revealed that 43.5pc are still suffering from psychological trauma even 35 years after their sexual ordeal,” said Child’s Wish Society chairperson Manal Al Awadhi, adding that 93pc showed willing to undergo treatment.
In a statement to Akhbar Al Khaleej, she said that 44.4pc of the participants said their trauma had taken a heavy toll on their family and marital lives.
She deplored what she called the leniency of the penal code which contributed to alarming rise in the cases of sexual assault.
“The legal leniency pushes the victims to turn into rapists and criminals in reaction,” she said, stressing the urgency of providing them counselling and treatment.
Under the legal provisions, convicts involved in cases of sexual harassment or abuse are sentenced to a maximum of one year and BD2,000 fine.
Based on the shocking results, Child’s Wish Society, submitted a string of recommendations urging competent government authorities to take necessary measures to protect children. She urged the private sector, particularly banks, to help construct a shelter for victims while their cases are investigated.
She stressed the importance of operating a hotline and opening the children’s protection centre round the clock, being the first line of defence against all forms of sexual abuse.
&uuid=(email))