The Differing Rate of Sexual Child Abuse, Research Paper Example

The issue on child abuse is such a delicate one that discussing it often presents different aspects of reasoning that comes from the desire of explaining why the dilemma happens and why towards the children. Experts and child protection agencies have long been concerned in notably understanding why the situation happens and how it could be resolved. What constitutes child abuse anyway? Relatively, it could be understood that from the term abuse, such condition involves several aspects of specifically manipulating situations to deconstruct the child from his or her rights. Utilizing either force or authority against children to pursue what one desires from them is already a relative basis on whether or not abuse is actually happening. For this particular discussion, the focal point is relatively directed to sexual abuse. What constitutes sexual child abuse?

Through the years, the ways by which a child is abused develops into several aspects of demeaning approaches to which the young individuals are subjected to particular situations they may not specifically like; sometimes they are not even aware of. The vulnerability of children to fight for themselves and for their rights makes them specific targets for sexual predators. Through the years, news media has presented hundreds if not thousands of victims to such type of abuse. Most of them girls; these cases intended to bring the situation into the realization of the society. As a result, people, specifically parents, became more concerned about their children’s safety, especially if they are girls. Relatively though, it could be realized that the rate of boys being sexually abused have become relatively ‘competitive’ with reports pertaining to girls. To this matter, there are three primary reasons seen to have an impact in connection to such nature of the latest reports on child abuse. These reasons are as follows:

Raised awareness-raised protection for girls

Given the fact that girls are notably vulnerable to the situation, parents become highly concerned as to how their young girls are protected from predators. Along with such awareness though, the common belief that boys could protect themselves have made it easier for [some] parents to believe that boys have the lesser need for protection. Noting their being ‘boys’, these children’s needs for protection often get neglected; thinking that they are tough enough, they are often expected to face predators with a much stronger stance (Hopper, 2012). However, like girls, if they do not know what is happening, they may not likely know if it is wrong; hence, they will never consider it abuse and would not be able to protect themselves accordingly.

Increased promotion of gender liberation (Specifically pertaining to gays)

Lately, gender liberation has been a common theme among movies, television programs and other forms of media that provides a distinct indication on how gays are represented to be specifically having the right to exercise their desires among men. Seeing little boys as vulnerable victims, the young ones often receive the heat. The promotion of such liberation has even changed the tides as to how these young victims are taught to cope with the situation as if viewing the situation normal (Hoppper, 2012)

Closed-door cases and unreported situations for the sake of self preservation

Specifically related to protecting themselves from shame, boys have a lot to consider when it comes to protecting their reputation. True, they are children, however their predators are most often than not capable of putting ideas into their minds thus keeping the child’s mouth closed especially if they are boys (Hopper, 2012). Developing such idealism, most of these victims become vulnerable to repeat situations that further bring their emotional and mental health down to a more depressive condition.

With the given points of reasoning, only one resolution is seen to have a great impact on getting the rate of victims of sexual child abuse down, and that is proper education. True, although girls have a slighter higher rate of victimization compared to boys; the fact that boys are already becoming common targets of the predators should raise awareness and alarm to authorities and to parents (Child Protection, 2013). Protecting a child, no matter what the gender is should be an immediate response to the situation. Take note of the fact that when it comes to protecting the rights of the children, the community should be involved accordingly. Raising awareness through media and community information dissemination procedures could bring the case out in the open and provide a chance for unreported cases to be noticed and unknown victims to be protected from the situation[s] they have been subjected to (Coulborn, 2013). Practical assumptions of procedures that could bring the children into knowing how to protect themselves is essential; allowing the parents to understand the gravity of the matter could make it easier for them to detect abusive behaviors from others [and at times even from themselves] that are directed to their children; thus giving them the chance to put a stop to the matter immediately. If these steps are to be taken seriously by individuals involved, there is no reason why specific aspects of protection directed to children would not be implemented accordingly. It is through this that the rate of both boys and girls being sexually abused is expected to gradually decrease. It is of course through the efforts of the entire community that such goal could be achieved; hence, giving children a better future, a better chance of seeing opportunities that could free them from the bondage of sexual abuse.

References:

Coulborn Faller, Kathleen. (2013). Interviewing Children about Sexual Abuse . http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=dfmlF_7IU6sC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&dq=Interviewing+Children+about+Sexual+Abuse+:+Controversies+and+Best+Practice+.&source=bl&ots=hzbDnUItiP&sig=xk3f28MDpkv405DvIDnWcD3dLW4&hl=fil&sa=X&ei=IdekUpaoDoeZkgXc-4D4CA&ved=0CEkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Interviewing%20Children%20about%20Sexual%20Abuse%20%3A%20Controversies%20and%20Best%20Practice%20.&f=false. (Retrieved on December 9, 2013).

Child protection. (2013). Discussion on the Prevalence of Sexual Child Abuse. http://www.aihw.gov.au/child-protection/. (Retrieved on December 9, 2013)

Hoppper, Jim. (2012). Sexual Abuse of Males: Prevalence, Possible Lasting Effects and Resources. http://www.jimhopper.com/male-ab/. (Retrieved on December 9, 2013).