Obaid said that it is important for parents to make their children aware that
they can be exposed to sexual harassment in certain places. Small children
should be asked not to speak to strangers or allow someone to touch their body.
If the children are grown up, they can be told straightaway that they can be
prone to sexual harassment, especially in school toilets or sports clubs. They
should be made aware that even people at home like drivers, maids and close
relatives can be the abusers.
Children should be encouraged to report cases of harassment to their parents
immediately.
Obaid said that sexual harassment of children is quite common in the west but
Arab and Muslim societies are no exception as such incidents also occur here,
and more often than not, close relatives are involved.
He recalled an incident where an uncle of a young girl was harassing her. When
the girl told her mother, she ignored it since the man involved was her own
brother, said Obaid.
"The mother should have taken up the issue with him in order to protect her
daughter, but she chose not to."
Baby sitters, sports trainers and teachers who are mostly in regular contact
with children can be the culprits in some cases. There are also cases of
fathers sexually harassing their daughters.
Obaid said that it is important for delinquents to be brought to book as
statistics show that punishment does act as a deterrent.
Global statistics show that some 10 per cent to 16 per cent of those who have
been punished for sexually harassing children, have changed their behaviour.
It is also important to treat the victims since they can begin generally
suspecting anyone and everyone.
This is an extreme situation and can, obviously, adversely impact personality
development.
