Monday, May 14, 2007
Caribbean facts
According to a voluntary survey cited in the report, 48% of Caribbean adolescent girls surveyed described their own "sexual initiation" as forced.
That is from "Cost of Caribbean Crime Grows," 4 May 2007, The Wall Street Journal.
This from WHO
The statistics related to child sexual abuse around the world paint a horrific state of affairs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called child sexual abuse “a silent emergency.” WHO says it often goes unnoticed and is grossly surrounded by “a culture of silence and stigma”. One in 10 children is abused in the Caribbean: 40% of children are abused by parents or step-parents; 25% by relatives and 10% by strangers.
I know it's an ugly topic that many shy away from but in the light of these reports am forced to wonder how many of these cases are incestuous. A part of Vincentian culture/tradition was to perform mock hangings of persons suspected or known to be perpetrators of that particular crime. As a child I found it amusing but as I got older I realised it was society's way of showing moral outrage at the deviance.
Along with the possible incestuous aspect it paints a disturbing picture of sexual violence. How do parents protect children from their own relatives and how do we teach the young to value themselves? I suspect the answer or part of it lies in building self esteem and being really open in handling sex education. Then hope you have done enough to equip them with the tools for making informed decisions or reducing the instances.
Of course there are many other factors such as ignorance and poverty at play.How often have we heard about the belief that sex with a virgin will cure STD'S? What happens is that the very young are targeted as a result. Then, there is the economic reality that encourages the young to seek out the "sugar daddies" to supply their material needs. Whatever the reasons the bottom line is somewhow behaviour change must be effected or risk losing more of the young to HIV.
That is from "Cost of Caribbean Crime Grows," 4 May 2007, The Wall Street Journal.
This from WHO
The statistics related to child sexual abuse around the world paint a horrific state of affairs. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called child sexual abuse “a silent emergency.” WHO says it often goes unnoticed and is grossly surrounded by “a culture of silence and stigma”. One in 10 children is abused in the Caribbean: 40% of children are abused by parents or step-parents; 25% by relatives and 10% by strangers.
I know it's an ugly topic that many shy away from but in the light of these reports am forced to wonder how many of these cases are incestuous. A part of Vincentian culture/tradition was to perform mock hangings of persons suspected or known to be perpetrators of that particular crime. As a child I found it amusing but as I got older I realised it was society's way of showing moral outrage at the deviance.
Along with the possible incestuous aspect it paints a disturbing picture of sexual violence. How do parents protect children from their own relatives and how do we teach the young to value themselves? I suspect the answer or part of it lies in building self esteem and being really open in handling sex education. Then hope you have done enough to equip them with the tools for making informed decisions or reducing the instances.
Of course there are many other factors such as ignorance and poverty at play.How often have we heard about the belief that sex with a virgin will cure STD'S? What happens is that the very young are targeted as a result. Then, there is the economic reality that encourages the young to seek out the "sugar daddies" to supply their material needs. Whatever the reasons the bottom line is somewhow behaviour change must be effected or risk losing more of the young to HIV.
Labels: sexual abuse
# posted by Abeni @ 8:56 PM 
Comments:
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I totally agree with you. Here we have what you mentioned as well and even moreso the area leaders who have free roam of all the young girls in "his area". It is said that to refuse can lead to serious consequences for her and her family. The bad man culture spreads far and wide with serious effects all around.
# posted by 
: 8:34 AM
: 8:34 AM
Sexual abuse has long been an issue in the Caribbean. Its most often done by someone in the home or a caretaker. The situation is sad and parents need to be more vigiliant with their children. What we see is that proverty helps contirbute to such actions and parents especially mothers will subject their children knowingly or unknowingly to such abuse for the sake of a roof over their heads or food on the table.
All I know is when I watch music videos and young girls in the clubs, they are so overly sexualized that it is scary.
I agree with the comment about music videos....... speaking of which any thoughts on the whole Akon incident in the Trinidad nightclub?
well I never thought that the figures were that high 48% man thats almost every other girl. thats pretty sad
"A part of Vincentian culture/tradition was to perform mock hangings of persons suspected or known to be perpetrators of that particular crime."
could you elaborate on this a little more. i'm curious. i've been thinking a lot about abuse in the Caribbean as well and how so much of it passes as "normal".
could you elaborate on this a little more. i'm curious. i've been thinking a lot about abuse in the Caribbean as well and how so much of it passes as "normal".
eemanee,they make effigies of the accused which they hang after a prolonged trial.The trials take place in the village community centre or some public place.No defendant has ever won eh:)
We are hosting a series of discussions on Child Sex Abuse in the Caribbean and we are inviting Experts, Professionals, Advocates, Social Workers, Human Rights Activists and concerned citizens to be guests on the show.
The first episode will be on Sunday 29th May 2011, at 6.00 pm.
For more information on the Charlie Spice Show and how to be become a guest, please go to http://charliespice.ning.com/page/guests-wanted.
We look forward to hosting you on the show.
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The first episode will be on Sunday 29th May 2011, at 6.00 pm.
For more information on the Charlie Spice Show and how to be become a guest, please go to http://charliespice.ning.com/page/guests-wanted.
We look forward to hosting you on the show.
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