Closed Doors Suffering by CWISH

Closed Doors Suffering

R e s e a r c h

Te a m - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Coordinator

Milan Dharel

Team Leader

Bindu Gautam

Research Associate :

Karuna Tamrakar

Editing

Simon Gautam & Michale Croker

Statistician

Mohan Khajum

Pictorial Expert

Prithvi Shrestha

Assistated by

Yubaraj Ghimire, Writu Bhatta, Pratisha Dewan

Enumerators

Kalpana Nepal, Prem Ghimire, Laxmi Khanal, Prashanta Dangol, Pabitra Oli, Rupa Acharya, Radhika Bhattarai, Bhavani Pandey, Ganga Dahal, Gita Neupane, Trilochan Neupane, Prakash Sarki & Samjhana Basnet

Cover Illustration :

Rajan Kaphle

Pre-Press

Times Creation, 4410059

Copyrights

@CWISH 2005

Supported by

Save The Children Norway-Nepal Program

Acknowledgements

In spite of Nepal’s ratification and commitment to various international standards and treaties, Children in Nepal are suffering violation of rights. Adults and state mechanism responsible for respecting, fulfilling and promoting children’s fundamental rights are failed in several aspects. One of such rights violation is the problem of child abuse. A large number of children in Nepal are suffering from abuse, violence, discrimination and exploitation. Children living without family care and protection are further vulnerable to abusive practices. But still the problem is hidden and rarely exposed. In case of Sexual abuse and violence it has become further hidden due to the social stigma attached with this. Being a Human Rights organization focused on children, youth and women, CWISH could not overlook such issues. Working with Child Domestic Workers’ it has received a lot of complaints of sexual abuse against them by various actors. Thus in 2003, to combat with the silent suffering of children especially child domestic workers, CWISH started the project “Combating Silent Suffering of Children” with the objective to intensively focused against sexual abuse of children and protecting them from such suffering including providing care, support and services.

The project was founded on the reference of SCNN-CWIN study on child sexual abuse “Silent Suffering”, but still there was not enough information on suffering of out of school child domestic workers. In fact CWISH has been observing a huge problem of sexual abuse against these children, while conducting educational programs. Therefore, to have information on the problems of sexual abuse of child domestic workers who are out of school, CWISH conducted this study “Closed Door Suffering” with the technical and financial support from Save the Children Norway Nepal Program. I would like to thank the team of Save the Children Norway and Sita Ghimire for their generous help and support. I hope the study would be valuable reference for people interested and working on protecting children from such a heinous crimes. I also expect that this study would be useful for getting an idea about the vulnerability of children and the conclusion and recommendations it made would be useful for programming purpose. We are thankful to the whole research team lead by Ms. Bindu Gautam along with Milan Dharel and Karuna Tamrakar for carrying out such a challenging task, to Michale Croker and Mr. Simon Gautam for editing of Language, Prithvi Shrestha for making questionnaire sketches and Times Creation team for making it possible to use with children in friendlier way. The children and the courage who made this study possible and reveal the issues.The NFE facilitators who involved in children consultation. Thanking all other remaining actors to make it a success. Ms. Shanti Adhikari Chairperson, 2005 December

P r e f a c e The work from civil society and the government side in Nepal for children have been able to make positive changes on the lives of children. Still some of the issues are overlooked and not responded properly. One of such problem was Child Sexual Abuse. The issues of child sexual abuse have not been appropriately and intensively addressed by the child rights interventions. It is also because it was hidden and not much investigated. There was almost absence of information on this issue. One of the research done by CWIN and SCNN in 2003 was first such kind of study, which has tried to highlight the problem, however it is also found not accessed to the out of school and working children, who are more vulnerable. Thus, finally the study “Closed Door Suffering” was carried out to fill up the gaps there. Doing research with children who are not able to read and write in such a sensitive issue (Sexual Abuse) was not an easy task. The research team has proved it’s ability with accepting and fulfilling the challenges. In Many places Facilitators (Enumerators) have been harassed by employers, in many cases children were not interested on responding to the questions and in some places employers blocked children to participate on the study process. Numbers of children were also identified having psychological trauma and still suffering of abuse during study period. Thanks to the CWISH Combating Silent Suffering projects and it’s counseling services, that provided them necessary support to coup with the problem and protect themselves. Crossing all the challenges, finally a study report has come out on your hand.

We expect the information, analysis; discussion, conclusion and recommendations from this study would help you all people to have an idea on the situation of sexual abuse, to develop appropriate programs and for government to think of formation and reformation as well as effective implementation of the policy. We know this is not the end, rather a beginning point. This report might not represent or be perfect from all side, we would be more than happy to receive your suggestion and feedback on this report that would enhance our work in future. Finally I would like to thank all my team members involved in the research without whose active involvement, it was almost impossible to make it. I would like to thank all those children and their employers for participating in study process and also allowing their child domestic workers to involve in the process. I thank to Michelle Crooker and Mr. Simon Gautam for their help on making language and writing more clear; thanks to Mr. Mohan Khajum for data processing and analysis; thanks to Prithivi Shrestha and team of times creation to design and producing child friendly pictorial questionnaire. Milan Dharel for excellent coordination and being great contributor for the study It was impossible without CWISH interest and commitment and Save the Children Norway Nepal financial and technical support to make this study happen. I would like to thank Ms. Shanti Adhikari, Chairperson of CWISH and her team as well as Ms. Sita Ghimire from SCNN and the team there for their cooperation support. Once again thanking you all those who are involved directly indirectly in this study. Ms. Bindu Gautam, Research Team Leader, December 2005.

List of abbreviations UN

United Nations

UNCRC

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child

UNICEF

United Nations Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund

ILO

International Labor Organization

IPEC

International Program to Eliminate Child Labor

CWISH

Children-Women In Social Service and Human Rights

CWIN

Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre

CDWs

Child Domestic Workers

NLA

National Labour Academy

SCNN

Save the Children Norway Nepal

UNGASS United Nations General Assembly Special Session NFE

Non-Formal Education

FGD

Focus Group Discussion

CSA

Child Sexual Abuse

UNCHR

United Nations (High) Commission on Human Rights

NGO

Non-Government Organization

SMS

Short Message Service

DDC

District Development Committee

VDC

Village Development Committee

Executive Summary

Both Children-Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH) and Save the Children Norway Nepal (SCNN) are jointly working on combating Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) since 2003. The study assumes that CSA, a crime against children, highly prevails in Nepal and it is underreported

Objectives and Methodology The study broadly seeks to contribute to the identification of key issues surrounding cases of Child Domestic Workers (CDWs), and to recommend strategies to address them. Whereas specifically the study seeks to: investigate the level of understanding among CDWs and employers about CSA; identify types and magnitude of CSA and sexual offenders of CDWs; understand the employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception of CSA; and finally recommend actions to help prevent and address sexual abuse of CDWs. Both qualitative and quantitative tools were adopted to meet the objectives of the study. This involved letting the children

share their experiences in focus group discussions, recording their case stories, making informal observations, interacting with all the stakeholders through checklists, structured and open-ended questionnaire, and making unstructured interviews. An extensive pictorial questionnaire was developed and used to generate information from the children. The study was conducted with 306 CDWs aged 8 -16, and currently attending non-formal education programmes (NFE). The study was conducted in two phases; the first phase involved identifying the CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; understanding level of CSA, and second phase conducting a prevalence survey ensuring that they respond with a sense of awareness and freedom of conscience. The children who were identified with problems of abuse were either taken to the ANTARJYOTI psychosocial care and support center or CWISH counselor visited them for counseling and services. Besides, the CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; respective employers were also interviewed.

Findings The findings of the study Closed-door Sufferings are varied: some relate to new facts, while others confirm the existing facts. The act of child sexual abuse in the Nepali society is at alarming level, and the indication is that it can go further for the reason that it is kept hidden due to the associated myths and social taboos on sex issues. People rarely discuss and raise their concern over such issues. Such social behavior has forced the children to all the more suffer from the abuses silently in whatever form it may come to them. And those children who are living out of their home without their family support and not going to school and living as workers are further victimized. CDWs are perceived as highly vulnerable groups because of their confinement, invisibility and lack of access to family support

and protection services. The study records the magnitude of the perception of both child workers and their employers which may contribute to future programming in combating against the act of CSA. The CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; adult employers too showed low level of knowledge and understanding of the issue of CSA: out of 90 interviewees, only 55 per cent agreed with both contact and non-contact forms of activities as sexual abuse. Only 60 per cent thought both boys and girls were vulnerable, and the remaining thought only girls were vulnerable. Almost 48 per cent of the employers believed both male and female could sexually molest children, while 44.44 per cent thought only male could do so and only 1.11 per cent thought only female could do so. Only 73.33 per cent employers thought it was only offenders to blame for child sexual abuse, while others believed children were also responsible for the act. However, 49 per cent of employers believed persuading and offering gifts was the way to start abusing children. A greater number of employers perceived that the offenders used threats and force to abuse children. A 24.44 per cent of employers believed that since children did not complain, they were also responsible for what happened to them. Similarly, 17.78 per cent thought children made false stories, and 11.11 per cent said they enjoyed talking about sex, if a child reported them against sexual abuse case. A 96 percent of employers agreed to educate children about CSA, and teach them protection skills. Almost all the out-of-school CDWs were not aware of different activities that could be considered as CSA cases, because only 2.30 per cent mentioned the non-contact forms of abuse also as CSA. However, 59 per cent of them thought both boys and girls were at risk of sexual abuse, still 40 per cent stuck to either sex group. Only 19 per cent of respondents mentioned anyone could abuse children

sexually. However, 77.70 per cent children thought the offender to blame for abusing children, and the rest thought the children themselves were also responsible. Sexual abuse against out-of-school CDWs is quite high (54.90%), and quite against the general belief, the percentages of CSA cases among the girls (55.25%) and the boys (54.40%) are almost similar. Surprisingly contact forms of abuse (56.55%) are found higher than the non contact forms (43.45%). A 34 per cent of respondents mentioned that they were even suffering during the survey period. Majority respondents held males as the only offenders (82.74%), while a small percentage held females as the only offenders (4.76%) and equally the same percentage held both males and females as the offenders (4.76%). Though a higher number of respondents said they did not know the offender before, the latter met the victim frequently they knew each other (26.19%), they offered friendship (19.05%) and showed affection (17.26%) before the act of abuse. Only 15.48 per cent threatened and 11.31 per cent exercised power over the victim. Only 51 per cent children reported what happened to them to someone and the remaining 49 per cent did not do so, for they got afraid of (40.48%), and felt hurt (30.95%) after they were abused. They also did not report the abuse because almost 29 per cent said the offenders threatened them, and 25.61 per cent said they feared of losing prestige. Consequently, the magnitude of the prevalence of the CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sexual abuse and the low level of knowledge and understanding of the issue in parents, employers and children themselves have further increased their vulnerability and prevented them from reporting and access to support services.

Recommendations The findings and the conclusions of the study strongly suggest the key stakeholders—parents, guardians, concerned organizations and finally State—to move towards creating children’s voice nationwide and implementing the strategic activities by:

educating and empowering children especially the child workers such as the CDWs with the establishment of community-based mechanisms and systems of support for children at home, working places and community level;

completely banning the employment of children of small age at domestic level and ensuring them school education;

empowering all children to understand the happenings against them and to protest and seek support if need be;

taking in view the current situation, enabling parents, guardians and employers of working children to protect the latter from the risk of their being abused and to access them to support services; and

establishing functionary child-friendly protection system guided by necessary instruments of laws and policies both at local and national levels and tying them into greater networks.

C o n t e n t s Executive Summary

1. Introduction 1.1 Background

1.2 Define Sexual Abuse

1.3 Statement of the Problem

1.4 Rationale

1.5 Objectives of the Study

1.6 Methodology of the Study

1.7 Limitations of the Study

2. Discussions on Child Sexual Abuse 2.1 Concepts about Child Sexual Abuse

2.2 Concepts abou Offenders and Victims

2.3 Family Risk Factors

2.4 Sympoms and Behavioral Disorders as Indications of Sexual Abuse

2.5 Myths Associated with Child Sexual Abuse

2.6 Some Facts about Child Sexual Abuse

2.7 Some Facts about Child Sexual Abuse in Nepal

2.8 Child Domestic Workers and Sexual Abuse

3. Findings 3.1 Socio-Economic Profiles of Respondents

3.2 Perspective and Practice of Employing CDWs

3.3 Perspectives on Child Sexual Abuse

3.4 Prevalence of Sexual Abuse of CDWs

4. Discussion of Key Findings 4.1 Child Domestic and Sexual Abuse

4.2 Rights Violations : A Serious Issue

100

5. Conclusion and Recommendations 5.1 Conclusion

105

5.2 Recommendations

108

Bibliography

115

Annexes Annex 1: Guidelines for Facilitating/Working with Children Annex 2 : Checklist for Focus Group Discusion Annex 3 : Questionnaires Annex 4 : Findings Table Details

Chapter

one Introduction

1.1 Background Involving children in domestic service is a traditional practice in Nepal. In a feudal society children of poor and landless families are sent to work at their feudal lordsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; houses as domestic servants. Some work as bonded labourers, which is a slavery-like practice prevalent even to this day in Nepal. Over time, the practice of Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) has become a common phenomenon.

One reason behind the increase in the number of child labourers has been Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unstable political situation. Since the rise of conflict, it became a common thing for children to go to work as domestic labourers. The villages remained no longer a safe place for even adults. Many schools got closed due to conflict-led threats, teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; abduction, and forceful recruitment of children as soldiers. Women/mothers began to be killed for no reason by both the state and the rebels. Consequently, young children forcefully became school dropouts that led them, at a tender age, to take up petty jobs for paltry wages. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), the number of children working as CDWs is dangerously high in the Kathmandu Valley. A total of 56,000 children are in domestic service spread in all the 58 urban areas of Nepal1. Employing children as domestic servants is more widespread in the cities than in the villages as most of the poverty-ridden villagers often feel that sending their children to the cities as domestic labourers guarantees food, shelter, clothing and even education. Children are preferred as domestic labourers mainly because they are cheap, they tend not to complain, are vulnerable and easy to manipulate, intimidate and exploit. Studies reveal that a child works for a wage five times less that than that demanded by an average adult2. For instance the minimum daily wage is Rs. 67, while a child domestic worker earns only around Rs. 300 per month. CDWs are often vulnerable to exploitation by their own employers, physically, mentally and sexually. Since its establishment in 1996, Children and Women in A Rapid Assessment on Child Domestic Workers in Kathmandu Valley 2001, Dr. Shiva Sharma, ILO-IPEC, National Labor Academy).

Annual Status Report, Children in Domestic Service in Kathmandu Valley 2005, CWISH. 2

Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH) has been addressing the problems of child domestic labour with a view to improve the children’s situation, and ultimately end this worst form of child labour. Following its long term strategic objective to eliminate the practice of child domestic labour, CWISH has worked with more than 6,000 children in domestic labour. Through its work with CDWs, CWISH has identified the prevalence of child sexual abuse as, a critical issue. Save the Children Norway Nepal (SCNN) believes that sexual abuse puts a child’s survival and development at risk, reinforces discrimination, denies any meaningful participation of the child in matters that affect them and is definitely not in the best interests of the child. Therefore, SCNN aims to contribute to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation and to reducing the incidence and impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation (SCNN Policy). Child sexual abuse is a major problem experienced by children worldwide, including Nepal. However, most Nepalese are ignorant of this issue. Talking about sex, sexuality and sexual issues is considered a social taboo in Nepali culture, and so child sex related matters are even more of an embarrassment, disgrace and taboo. Children are expected to obey their elders no matter what they ask, and this cultural factor places them in a relatively powerless situation. For example, in a situation where an adult abuses a child, the latter can neither directly oppose the offensive behaviour, nor share his/her problem with others. Sexual abuse of CDWs is considered to be common due to the child’s vulnerability and isolation at their employers’ homes. However, it cannot be ignored that all children are at risk of sexual abuse everywhere. CDWs are considered to be in a more vulnerable situation of sexual abuse as they

are away from their family and home and there exists a power hierarchy between the employer, and the employees’ family. CDWs often do not have anyone with whom they can share their feelings, problems and pains. Despite the CDWs facing mounting problems, no study has to date determined, in a focused manner, the extent of their sexual abuse in the Nepali society. The only related study made so far was a CWIN and SCNN joint research on child sexual abuse among school going children in which some participants were from CDWs. So, with a view to filling in the information gap, CWISH and SCNN conducted the study among the out-of-school CDWs in Kathmandu and Lalitpur districts. Both of these organizations have been jointly working on combating against CSA since 2003.

1.2

Defining Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and exploitation is a global phenomenon. It is a serious violation of child rights. SCNN is dedicated to working for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation pursuant to the UN Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The organization works on the basis of the universally accepted definition of CSA as “the imposition of sexual acts, or acts with sexual overtones, by one or more persons on a child” with a view to effectively address the problems of girls and boys, and the study is guided by this common definition.

According to a WHO definition, Child sexual abuse is the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent, or that violate the laws or social taboos of society. Child sexual abuse is evidenced by an activity between a child and an

adult or another child who by age or development is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person. This may include but is not limited to the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; the exploitative use of a child in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials. (Consultation on Child Abuse Prevention (62), 1999) More specifically, child sexual abuse includes indecent touching, penetration and sexual torture, as well as indecent exposure, using sexually explicit language towards a child and showing children pornographic material. It includes all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation under the general definition of sexual abuse. Note: The legal age of consent defines when a child is regarded mature enough to consent to mutually desired sexual relations. The legal age of consent in Nepal is above the age of 16, however, the UNCRC defines anyone as child up to the age of 18.

1.3

Statement of the Problem

ILO estimates the domestic work in the households of families other than that of the child’s own is the largest single employment category of under 16 girls in the world. Although the numbers that this represents are ‘don’t know’, it is likely to run into millions worldwide. Aside from the magnitude of children involved in domestic work, the most alarming aspect is their condition of work. They live and work in a closed-door condition, which is a life with no public view, at their employers’ home. Their invisibility, lack of negotiating power, and lack of awareness of their rights makes CDWs vulnerable to exploitation,

including physical, emotional, and sexual abuses. Of all forms of abuse, perhaps the most difficult one for people to come to terms with is that of sexual abuse. However, for long, incidents of sexual abuse were spoken in hushed voices. Studies suggest that a vast number of survivors of sexual abuse are the children. It shows that one in four girls and one in six boys are the victims of unwanted sexual acts before turning 18. Children are raped, sodomised and sexually exploited in different ways routinely in all classes and areas of society. Many children in the world are sexually abused in their families, their communities, at the workplaces and in the streets. With the growing popularity of internet, children are forced to participate in the production of pornographic movies or view the images. CSA affects victims across all aspects of their lives. They often become physically damaged and emotionally traumatized. While it is clear that not all CDWs suffer abuse, neglect, or exploitation and that their working conditions may not necessarily be dangerous or inhumane, but we should not ignore the fact that a significant number of CDWs face sexual abuse. They often do not talk about sexual abuse committed against them due to shame, guilt and fear of repercussions or disbelief from their family back home. If they do speak it out, it is likely that they will experience shame, guilt and bring dishonour to their own families. Consequently they meekly accept the abuse and suffer the pain therefrom.

1.4

Rationale

The underlying rationale for this joint CWISH and SCNN report is to raise awareness and help facilitate action to prevent and protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The study primarily focuses on CDWs, because

there is currently a gap of factual information. This rationale is consistent with the broader international view that it is the responsibility of every civil society and its individuals to bring an end to all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation experienced by children. The Child Rights Convention (CRC) 1989 clearly states the responsibility for protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Likewise, the Declaration of UNGASS “World Fit for Children” also calls for work on the protection of children from sexual abuse. The ILO Conventions 138,182 and recommendation 190 call for actions to end the child workers’ sexual harassment at work.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC) states: Article 19: (1) States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. (2) Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.” Article 32: (1) States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the

childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. (2) States Parties shall take legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to ensure the implementation of the present article. To this end, and having regard to the relevant provisions of other international instruments, States Parties shall in particular: (a) Provide for a minimum age or minimum ages for admission to employment; (b) Provide for appropriate regulation of the hours and conditions of employment; (c) Provide for appropriate penalties or other sanctions to ensure the effective enforcement of the present article. Article 34: States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent: (a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; (b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; (c) The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials. UN Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (come into force on 18 January 2002): Article 10 (3) States Parties shall promote the strengthening of international cooperation in order to address the root causes, such as poverty and underdevelopment, contributing to the vulnerability of children to the sale of children, child prostitution, child pornography and child sex tourism. (4.)

States Parties in a position to do so shall provide financial, technical or other assistance through existing multilateral, regional, bilateral or other programmes. Nepalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tenth National Plan also includes a call for action to end child abuse. It states a long term objective to end all kinds of violence, exploitation and discrimination against women and children. Similarly, on the policy of action to mainstream child rights, it calls for protection of children from all kinds of violent activities, abuse and exploitations. Despite all these policy instruments, the reality in Nepal is that CSA highly prevails, but it is underreported. Even among the reported CSA cases, a large number of them lack proper care and service. There are very few programmes and services that have targeted children to protect them from sexual abuse, unlike in trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. The children who are poor, disadvantaged and marginalized such as CDWs are at high risk of sexual abuse because of their less power in social system and isolation from family care and support. Therefore there is urgent need of exact information and figures to draw out concrete programmes so as to protect the poorest of the poor children from such heinous crime and also to raise social concern on child protection. Keeping childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best interest in view, this study can be a milestone for child protection advocacy and campaign against child sexual abuse.

1.5

Objectives of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to contribute to the identification of key issues surrounding CSA cases among CDWs, and recommend strategies to address these issues.

The more specific objectives of the study are to:

investigate the level of understanding and awareness of CDWs and employers about child sexual abuse;

identify types and the magnitude of CSA committed against CDWs;

identify the sexual offenders of CDWs;

understand the perception of employers of child sexual abuse; and

lay out recommendations for action to help prevent and address sexual abuse of CDWs.

1.6

Methodology of the Study

The study is based upon both qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Human behaviour is not easily encapsulated in numbers and percentages. Therefore, for purpose of studying a sensitive issue like sexual abuse of CDWs, it is necessary to employ both techniques to get the best of information.

1.6.1

Study samples and distribution of sample locations

The research into sexual abuse of children in domestic services was carried out on children in domestic services between 8 -16 who are currently attending the non-formal education (NFE) programme run by CWISH. There were 306 CDWs involved in the study. Most of the CDWs worked full time, while others worked part time. Their respective employers were also involved in the study. The employers’ consent for participation in the study was received before the research team spoke to them and the CDWs about the study. CDWs from all 17 CWISH non-formal classes in the valley participated in the research. They were located in Chabahil, Dhumbarahi, Maharajgunj, Basundhara,

Bouddha, Saraswatinagar, Balaju, Kuleshwar, Kusunti, Satdobato, Balkumari, Koteshwar, Sanepa, Maijubahal, Anamnagar and Gyaneshwar.

1.6.2

Questionnaire development and pre-test

The questionnaire for both employers and children was developed with utmost care in view of the subjectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sensitivity. The pictorial questionnaire for the children was carefully scrutinized before it was finalized. This was done in order to present the pictures of various forms of sexual abuse in a respectable form. Pilot tests were conducted separately with the CDWs and employers to assess the validity of the questionnaire. Some of the employers were illiterate and they were assisted while filling in the survey questions. After the test, it was decided not to involve the illiterate employers in the questionnaire session. Following the completion of the pilot test, the questionnaire for all the CDWs attending NFE centres and their respective employers was finalized.

1.6.3

Construction of study team and its orientation

Considering the sensitivity of the matter and seriousness of the study, the team was formulated consisting of a female team leader with long experience in social research. Assisting her were a child rights female research associate, a statistician, and an artist (pictorial expert) and various other enumerators. In addition, facilitators from all NFE centres were also involved in the process of administering questionnaire to the children. Besides, a child counsellorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expertise was used in the study. To lead the entire study project to a successful end, a senior CWISH staff coordinated it. Other CWISH staff members also gave their helping hand to the study project.

The team members and NFE facilitators were provided orientation on various aspects of sexual abuse and communication skills. Proper communication skills were essential to bring out and address the actual problems faced by the children while avoiding further victimization of the children. Different ways of administering both pictorial and non-pictorial forms of questionnaire to the children were discussed in order to put the children at ease and conduct the study in a friendly environment. Emphasis was put on maintaining confidentiality of any sort of sexual abuse that the children faced, to avoid further victimization. Ways of addressing unseen problems and issues in the process of the study were also discussed. Guidelines were provided to all the team members and NFE facilitators while working with the children. (Annex 1)

1.6.4

Management of the fieldwork

Collection of primary data in the field was made through focus group discussion and filling in of survey questionnaire. A facilitator from the respective NFE centres administered the structured questionnaire to the employers. While conducting focus group discussions with the employers, care was taken not to involve the employers who had already participated the questionnaire session in order to avoid repetition. Focus group discussions were held with the employers of CDWs of seven different NFE centres. In these sessions were involved, both employers who were literate, and those who had difficulty in reading and writing. Two different facilitators conducted the focus group discussions simultaneously along with the respective NFE facilitators. After assessing the views of the employers on the issue of child sexual abuse, CDWs of the NFE centres were involved in filling out the questionnaire and discussing their views

and experiences in the issue. For this purpose, a daylong workshop was held for boys and girls separately. This was done to avoid gender awkwardness. Two different groups were formed to conduct these workshops simultaneously, with the CDWs of all 17 NFE centres. Each research team consisted of five members - a facilitator, three volunteers, along with an NFE facilitator of the respective NFE centre. A team of at least five members was required to give individual attention to the children while administering the questionnaire. After conducting the workshops in 6 different NFE centres, a review meeting was held with the team members. Problems encountered in the workshops were discussed in order to make the remaining workshops more successful. Again, care was taken not to re-victimize the children by making them give details, in front of other children, of the sexual abuse they had experienced. It was also important to ensure that the children felt that any sexual abuse committed against them was not their fault. Therefore, the team members were reminded not to focus on legal punishments. This was to help the children open up, and feel more comfortable in giving information. Similarly, emphasis was given on observation to gain clues about the vulnerability of the children.

1.6.5

Tools of the study

Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue and children have great difficulty in sharing their experiences. Keeping this in view, different tools of data collection were employed in the study.

Focus group discussion In order to facilitate group interaction among the employers and provide a better understanding of child sexual abuse, focus group discussions were held in seven different groups for the employers of the CDWs. This was conducted after the survey questions were administered to different groups of employers to avoid repetition and also to involve employers who had difficulty in reading and filling up the questions. Each group consisted of about 7-9 employers, both male and female. Two moderators simultaneously carried out the discussion in different centres along with an NFE facilitator as a note taker. Each session lasted about 2 hours. The FGDs were guided by issue-focused checklists.

Structured questionnaire As mentioned earlier, the employers of CDWs participated in filling in the questionnaire that required their knowledge on child sexual abuse. Similarly, CDWs were also involved in filling in the different sets of structured questionnaire. Separate day-long workshops were organized for CDW boys and girls at NFE centres. They were encouraged to actively participate in the workshop to assess their knowledge of sexual abuse and the prevalence of child sexual abuse of CDWs. The workshop used child friendly tools to create an environment to facilitate rapport building with the children. Different ways of introducing issues included songs, role plays, dramas and giving out prizes. Taking into consideration the children’s level of understanding, use of technical terms was avoided to make the child more comfortable. For example, instead of using the term “child sexual abuse”, simple expressions like “problems encountered in the daily lives such as eve teasing, uneasy feelings when fondled by someone, unwanted kissing,” and the like were used initially to bring out the

issue by children themselves. Many children immediately translated the issue as child sexual abuse. Before administering the structured questionnaire relating to knowledge and understanding of child sexual abuse, the children were told to give their views on child sexual abuse. Interestingly there were always some children who had some knowledge on this issue. This prevented the facilitator having to explain what child sexual abuse is before the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s knowledge was assessed. After completing the first set of questionnaire, orientation on CSA was given by a team member. Role plays by the team members further helped the children to open up and freely conduct the second set of questionnaire mainly focused on bringing out the magnitude and types of sexual abuses experienced by the children. Children were asked to draw pictures on issues of CSA they might have felt, seen or heard or which had concerned them. The workshop ended with songs or some other forms of entertainment. External interference was not allowed to disturb the workshop so that the children remained focused. Similarly, children were constantly reminded not to humiliate other children, and to maintain secrecy about the information shared.

Informal observation Observation was another important tool to collect information from the workshops held for the CDWs without disturbing the flow of activity. Factors like facial expressions of the children while sharing their experiences, and those of other children who were listening to them, their body postures, feeling of uneasiness they showed, or their gestures were constantly kept under observation. In the observation of the employers during focus group

discussion, often girls shared awkward glances and showed uneasiness in front of the boys. Some girls even giggled and others looked down instead of sharing their opinions. To create an environment of confidential sharing, some participants were given more attention and sharing chance in other confidential places.

Open ended questionnaire In the structured questionnaire designed for CDWs and their employers, some open-ended questions also were included to get qualitative information. The team members helped write down the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answers because of the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inability to write in readable forms.

Unstructured interview In the process of facilitating the children in filling in the questionnaire, some children were identified as cases and they were on the spot interviewed along with some form of counselling. For example, when a child expressed indications that she/he was abused or was still under abuse, they were immediately taken aside for further and rather detail information on the issue. While some were reluctant and unwilling to give information readily, some shared their experiences openly. This was another tool that provided an indication of a need for further counselling. In such cases the study team referred the child to counselling care and support centre for further assistance and rescue from the existing situation. The child who was identified with problems of abuse was either taken to the CWISH ANTARJYOTI psychosocial care and support centre or the CWISH counsellor visited her/him for counselling and meeting other needs.

1.6.6

Information processing and analysis

The information received through the survey was processed through software developed purposely designed for the research. The data were then analyzed in the context of child rights, social phenomena and existing national and international legal standards. On the basis of the analysis, conclusions and recommendations were drawn.

1.7

Limitations of the Study

Although the employers were positive towards the study and permitted the collection of information relating to CSA, it was difficult for them to manage the time to participate in the questionnaire session. Employer participants were mainly housewives or shopkeepers, for office workers were often unable to find the time to participate. Further, some housewives were illiterate and they did not participate in the written questionnaire. In the employers’ focus group discussion, some of them were reluctant to answer questions relating to CSA. They believed that such matter should not be discussed so openly, as there is risk that children might learn bad behaviour. In some groups the women participants preferred to keep quiet and passively listen to the male participants. The male participants actively took part in the discussion on various forms of sexual abuse. Arranging a full day’s leave from work for the CDWs to participate in the study was not an easy task. It was also significant to get permission from the employers for CDWs to participate in the study. Some employers showed impatience to allow the CDWs five hours leave. They were assured that their particular CDW would have a holiday the next day as it would be either the boys’ or girls’ turn to participate in the workshop. Due to this, all the children from the NFE classes could not participate in the research.

The research was conducted towards the end of the 9months NFE course. As a result, many children had already left the NFE classes to go home for Dashain/or Tihar festival. Therefore, not all the children who initially joined the NFE classes could participate in the study, further affecting the number of child participants. While conducting the workshop for the children, the participants often took a considerable amount of time narrating their stories. Unfortunately, all of their stories could not be heard due to lack of time allocated for the day, which could again annoy the employers or affect their daily chores. Some of the children themselves were eager to finish the workshop, as they were concerned about their daily chores and other jobs at home.

Chapter

two Discussions on Child Sexual Abuse

2.1 Concepts about Child Sexual Abuse There are many studies on child sexual abuse which consequently have defined it in several ways. The United Nations defines child sexual abuse and incest as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The imposition of sexually inappropriate acts, or acts with sexual overtones by one or more persons, who derive authority through ongoing emotional bonding with that childâ&#x20AC;? (UN 2000).

This definition includes non-contact forms of abuse, such as flashing, sexualized talk and showing pornography to children, in addition to actual touching and penetration. Some studies focus only on direct physical contact while others define it as a mixture of contact and non-contact forms. Incest has also been defined by some as both sexual abuse by close family members and anyone trusted by the child (Heidberg 2001). Finkelhor (1984) has defined sexual abuse with some guidance on the age of development level of the participants, sometimes with a clause concerning the experienced aversiveness of the activity and the element, which make it abusive. He defines sexual victimization as sexual encounters of children under thirteen with persons at least five years older than themselves and encounters of children of thirteen to sixteen years with persons at least ten years older. Sexual encounters are defined as intercourse, analgenital contact, fondling or an encounter with an exhibitionist. Baker and Duncan (1985) have defined sexual abuse as, “a child under age sixteen is sexually abused when another person, who is sexually mature, involves the child in any activity with the other person expects to lead to their sexual arousal.” In these definitions a chronological age has been selected to define the limits of abuse. However, a central factor in any form of sexual abuse involves the use of coercion in an explicit or implicit way, and this is indeed a central factor in designating it as abusive. Some definitions have included a child’s ability to consent to sexual contact. For example, Schechter and Roberge state: “Sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of dependent, development, developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not truly comprehend to which they are unable to give informed

consent, or that violate the social taboos of family roles.â&#x20AC;? According to this definition, child sexual abuse includes the situation where the child does not resist sexual advances by an adult. Such an activity is still regarded as an abuse because the child is unaware of the social meanings and psychological effects of sexual encounters. In addition, a child may be unable to give informed consent due to the dependence on or power relations with an adult. This is particularly relevant to CDWs whose dependency on their employer and the associated power relationship can lead to the employer manipulating the child for his or her gratification and against the well being of the child. CWISH defines child sexual abuse is as any kind of activity over children with sexual overtones mostly by adults and many times by elder children. This includes both contact such as kissing, fondling and rape and non-contact such as pornographic activities, teasing, making to see and hear sexual pictures and sounds with intention to have sexual act with children. CSA happens mainly on the basis of power hierarchy rather than the sexual intention, hence an abuse of power over children. And it often occurs in a onechild to one-adult situation; nonetheless, it can happen anywhere to any child by anyone.

2.2 Concepts about Offenders and Victims The offender Perpetrators are most often those the child knows and trusts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An estimated 90 per cent of sexual abuse is at home or at the hands of someone known to the family. The majority of perpetrators are relatives, most notably fathers, stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, older siblings, as well as mothers, grandmothers, and auntsâ&#x20AC;? (Engel 22-23). Other female offenders might include older cousins, babysitters, older girls in the neighbourhood, and female teachers and coaches (Engel 16).

Usually the perpetrator has easy access to the child because she/he has sole responsibility for the child, or takes care of or visits the child, and is trusted by the child’s parents. It has been found that children are most at risk of abuse in and around their home environment by people they normally trust. Sexual abuse usually occurs in places regarded as safe for children.

Many researches have confirmed that:

most offenders are not strangers to their victims, they are well known to their victims;

approximately 25 per cent of offenders are adolescents;

most of the reported offenders are males;

offenders use a number of tactics to gain access to children and ensure their victim’s silence, including threats, psychological coercion, physical force and bribery; and

most of the sexual abuse takes place in the context of an ongoing relationship between the offender and the child.

Children are often advised to keep themselves away from strangers and unfamiliar places to protect themselves from any form of sexual abuse. However, this does not effectively protect them from abuse that takes place within the home. In Baker and Duncans’ (1985) study, in 49 per cent of the abuse cases, the victims knew their offenders and 14 per cent of the abuses took place within the family. Similarly, in Dejong et al. (1983) study, 26 per cent of the abused children were assaulted at their own home and 21 per cent at the offender’s home. Russell (1983) study shows that 60 per cent were known to the victims but were unrelated to them.

The victim All children are vulnerable to sexual abuse. Sexual abuse and incest occur in every race, class, religion, culture, and country. Children whose emotional needs are not met, who are emotionally deprived of, or otherwise abused, can also be more vulnerable because their perpetrators exploit their need for attention. Some of the following facts referred to in the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence Publication, 2005 give an indication as to why some children are at high risk of getting sexually abused. Victims of child sexual abuse are found in all classes and ethno-cultural communities. Children who have physical or mental disabilities are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse:

Children who are isolated from others are at greater risk of being sexually abused. These children have little contact with friends, brothers and sisters or adults whom they can trust.

Children want to report their abuse so that it can be stopped, but they are often afraid that they will not be believed or protected, or they are afraid of what might happen if they do tell.

There is little evidence that many children deliberately make false allegations or misinterpret appropriate adult-child contact as sexual abuse. False denials of sexual abuse and recanting a disclosure of abuse are much more common than false reports.

When a child victim receives professional support prior to giving testimony in court, her/his statements are more likely to be clear and accurately reflect the time and details of the event. The experience is also less stressful for the child when she/he has received such support.

Â&#x2039;

Children vary in their responses to sexual abuse. The manner in which adults react to the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disclosure is an important factor in influencing how the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view about the abuse and his or her own role in it. Being believed and having family support can help the child to cope and adjust.

All studies have shown a prevalence of girls over the boys among victims of sexual abuse. In the college students by Finkelhor (1979), the rates of sexual abuse experienced in the childhood were twice as high for women (19 percent) as for men (9 percent). Interestingly, studies have also shown that offenders tend to blame the child for the abuse rather than take the responsibility for it themselves. The abuse of boys is another aspect of child sexual abuse which has received limited attention. Clinical cases reported so far show a much lower proportion of boys as victims. This is perhaps due to the various definitions and the inhibiting factors specific to reporting of sexual abuse of boys. Despite the likely underreporting of this aspect of sexual abuse, studies have shown that a growing number of boys are involved in prostitution and pornography (Heidberg, Turid 2001).

2.3 Family Risk Factors Child sexual abuse is not randomly distributed through the population. It occurs more frequently in children from socially deprived and disorganized family backgrounds (Finkelhor and Baron 1986; Beitchman et al. 1991; Russell 1986; Peters 1988; Mullen et al. 1993 in Paul E Mullen and Jillian Fleming 1998). Marital dysfunction, as evidenced by parental separation and domestic violence, is associated with higher risks of child sexual abuse, and involves interfamilial and extra familial perpetrators (Mullen et al 1996; Fergusson et al. 1996; Fleming et al. 1997 in Mullen and Fleming 1998).

A lack of adequate care, supervision and protection leaves the child exposed to the approaches of molesters, and vulnerable to offers of apparent interest and affection (Fergusson and Mullen in press as referred to in Paul E Mullen and Jillian Fleming 1998). These findings could indicate that a CDW is vulnerable in terms of her/his lack of protection, supervision and care from the immediate family member while living with their employer.

2.4 Symptoms and Behavioural Disorders as Indications of Sexual Abuse The impacts of sexual abuse have been studied in great detail. Research indicates that sexual molestation of a child usually begins at an age of 8-9 years old, and is perpetrated by someone who is in the mid-20s or older who is typically male. (Finkelhor 1979; Russell 1986 in Briere, John N. 1992). When a child is sexually assaulted she/he is not only subjected to immediate effects of the abuse but also it affects the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term developmental, psychological and social maturity (Briere 1992.). The first phase of modern research on child sexual abuse was often driven by the self-disclosures of sexual abuse exclusively by women, facing personal difficulties their sexual abuse as children. In contrast, current studies on child sexual abuse are predominantly carried out by observations of professionals caring for abused children. It has now become a subject of public health and research issue. Due to this there is a strong emphasis and a grave concern on the longterm consequences of sexual abuse in adult life, apart from its immediate implications for an abused child. Finkelhor and Browne (1985), through their traumatogenic model explain why certain children manage to cope with sexual abuse or can deal with their experience while others suffer long term difficulties. They describe four

traumatogenic factors, which can lead to negative psychological effects in children after sexual abuse. These are the betrayal by the adult, stigmatization, traumatic sexualisation and powerlessness of the child. Due to the overwhelming power of the adult, a child cannot attempt self-protection and stop the abuse. The power of the adult makes the child feel powerless physically and emotionally. Resignation and adjustment lead to a vicious circle in which powerlessness is reinforced. The child thus develops a â&#x20AC;&#x153;victim identityâ&#x20AC;? or alternatively, aggressive behaviour, during the years of growing and in adulthood. There have been numerous studies examining the association between the history of child sexual abuse and mental health problems in adult life that have employed clinical samples, convenience samples (usually of students), and random community samples. There is now an established body of knowledge clearly linking the history of child sexual abuse with higher rates in adult life of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders (Briere and Runtz 1988; Winfield et al. 1990; Bushnell et al. 1992; Mullen et al. 1993; Romans et al. 1995 and 1997; Fergusson et al. 1996; Silverman et al. 1996; Fleming et al. in press as referred to in Paul E. Mullen and Jillian Fleming 1998). Diana Russellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (1986) study of 930 women in the general population revealed that of 80 per cent of those sexually abused as children, 78 per cent reported experiencing negative long-term psychological effects. Various studies have found that if untreated any form of sexual victimization in childhood increases the risk of later mental health problems. Certain characteristics of sexual abuse are found to be more likely to result in long-term psychological impacts. As referred to in John N, Briere, (1992), these characteristics include:

greater duration and frequency of the abuse (Elliot and Briere 1992);

multiple perpetrators (Peters 1988);

presence of penetration or intercourse (Finkelhor etal. 1989);

physically forced sexual contact (Fromuth 1986);

abuse at earlier age (Zinvey, Nash, and Hulsey 1988);

molestation by perpetrator substantially older than the victim (Finkelhor 1979);

concurrent physical abuse (Briere and Runtz 1989a);

abuse involving bizarre features (Briere 1988);

the victim’s immediate sense of personal responsibility for the sexual abuse (Wyatt and Newcomb 1991); and

the victim experiencing feelings of powerlessness, betrayal, and/or stigma at the time of the abuse (Henschel et al. 1990).

Often sexually abused children live with their secret, their shame and their guilt. For some may it be so disturbing to the extent they may suffer mental illness and some may even attempt to commit suicide or self-harm (Heidberg 2001). In Nikaraguwua, 33 per cent of the women who were sexually abused in childhood revealed that they had contemplated suicide and 19 per cent had actually attempted it (Heidberg 2001). Among males abused, 39 per cent had contemplated suicide and 25 per cent had attempted (Herrera in Heidberg 2001). Child sexual abuse inflicts fundamental damage to the child’s capacity for developing trust, intimacy, and their own sexuality. While the damaging effects of sexual abuse can manifest at many levels of a child and later in adulthood, the resilience of some does enable them to live normal lives.

Those who have been abused and subsequently have positive school experiences, where they feel to have succeeded academically, socially or at sport, have significantly lower rates of adult difficulties (Romans et al. in Mullen and Fleming 1998). Those who had a positive and supportive relationship with their parents subsequent to abuse also fared better (Romans et al. in Mullen and Fleming 1998).

2.5

Myths Associated with Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is cloaked in stigma and myths and is characterized by many misconceptions. Some common myths include:

children make up stories or lie about sexual abuse;

strangers most often commit abuse;

offenders look sleazy, cruel or unusual;

acts like fondling, kissing, or touching are not really sexually abusive, and don’t really harm the young person;

if a male child or young man has an erection, or if a female child or young woman doesn’t complain or display any signs of distress during the sexual abuse, then what is occurring is not abuse;

the child or young person is at fault for encouraging or allowing the sexual abuse to happen;

sexually abused children and young people are scarred or damaged forever;

children and young people who have been sexually abused by a member of the same sex (or opposite sex) grow up to be homosexual;

an offender may be so drunk or high that he/she cannot be considered responsible for what he/she did;

children and young people are sexually abused because their parents/caregivers neglected to care for, or supervise them properly; and

children and young people are sexually abused because their mothers are not sexually available to their husbands or partners;3

CWISH has recorded the following commonly found myths in Nepal:

Children tend to forget the sexual abuse if it has been committed at a very tender age and it does not have any effect on their later life.

It is a child’s family’s willingness and consent to engage the child in commercial sex that leads to sexual exploitation of that child.

Sexual abuse in very young children does not occur; it is usually teenagers who are sexually abused.

Only violent sexual behaviour and acts of coercion are associated with child sexual abuse.

Children have full right to decide for their own good even in terms of commercial sex. Expressing or sharing about the incidence of sexual abuse with others is often more dangerous and painful than the act of sexual abuse.4

Kids Intervention Prevention Program, Wide Bay Sexual Assault Assocation Inc. The State of Queensland (Department of Communities) 2005 3

Handout on child sexual abuse and communication skills, 2004, CWISH

While it is popularly thought that far more girls are sexually abused than boys, current research estimates show that one in every three children (including boys) is abused (Engel 19). When a boy is abused, he is revictimized by his culture and by himself because of the expectation that he should be able to defend himself (Engel 19).

2.6 Some Facts about Child Sexual Abuse

While children do make up stories, they seldom lie about sexual abuse. Children who have not been abused do not usually have explicit knowledge of intimate sexual behaviour. Statistics indicate that most reports of child sexual abuse are true.

Most abuse is committed by someone the victim knows and trusts.

Offenders come from all walks of life and are ordinary people. It is because they are ordinary people that it is easy for them to offend undetected. They can be family members, babysitters, coaches, teachers, doctors, social workers, neighbours, and the like.

Any form of direct or indirect sexual contact with a young person by an adult, an older child, or a sibling who is more mature, is abusive. Every individual has a unique reaction to sexual abuse regardless of the type, extent or duration of the abuse.

Physical reactions to sexual stimulation indicate only that one’s biological body functions are healthy. Under no circumstances should these types of physical reactions be taken to mean that the child or young person is enjoying the abuse. Sexual assault is a criminal offence regardless of whether or not some of the acts make the child or

young person feel good physically. In many cases, a child does not have the emotional tools to understand what is happening.

Adults are responsible for their own behaviours. A child or young person is never responsible for behaviours displayed by an adult.

Many children and young people who have been victims of sexual abuse do heal and go on to lead normal lives like everyone else. In most cases, sexual abuse leaves no visible physical marks on a person, and no one will know that abuse has occurred unless a person is told.

The sex of the person who commits the abuse does not determine the victim’s sexual orientation.

Offenders use a range of tactics to gain access to their victims. The offender alone is responsible for their actions. Many offenders are experts in manipulating both the victim and the people who care for them.

Offenders may have normal sex lives with their partners and still abuse young people.

With or without alcohol or drugs, the offender is responsible for his/her actions and may need specialized treatment for his/her offending behaviours and for the alcohol and/or drug abuse.

Many children who are sexually abused do not become child sexual offenders when they grow up.

Various sources of documentation reveal that children find it difficult to talk about sexual abuse, both when it is in progress and in later life. A survey conducted in Sweden among children in pornography rings in Huddinge and

Norrkoping (Sveden in Svedin et al. 1996) emphasizes this. Nine children involved in the rings had been subjected to sexual abuse for a total of 28 years and kept the matter to themselves for 42 years without telling anyone. Only after presenting the actual evidence material by the police they could talk about this. Guilt, shame, and fear of both the perpetrator and their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; views were all reasons the children gave for keeping quiet. Surveys made by Elliot and Briere (1995), and Fish and Scott (1999) show that when only the victim and the perpetrator know about the sexual abuse, it results in events occurring for extended periods of time. Many victims and the families of victims are reluctant to report the incidence of sexual abuse due to the social stigma attached to it. Because sexual abuse is a taboo and a crime, the family dare not disclose it and instead deny it, forget it and suppress it by behaving as if nothing happened and reject external interference. In addition, the families may face social exclusion and psychological problems associated to it. If the offender is from outside the family, he/she will have, in many cases, to pay compensation or marry the girl. The family usually does not like to take the case to court and due to stigma and subsequent difficulties in getting the girl married (Heidberg 2001). Prevalence studies in UK and USA suggest that less than 10 per cent of the cases is reported to the police and less than 1 per cent result in arrest and conviction of the Offender (Russell 1984; Morrison et al. 1996 in Heidberg, Turid, 2001).

2.7 Some Facts about Child Sexual Abuse in Nepal In Nepalese society talking about sex and matters related to sex are still taboos. Due to this many incidents of sexual abuse are never discussed or reported, especially about child sexual abuse. Fear of rejection, dishonour and humiliation of family members are reasons for such abuses not being

reported. In a study conducted on child sexual abuse (1999) by Teaching Hospital under “Mental health project”, 25 per cent of college students expressed that they were sexually abused as children in various forms. The study revealed that children, 11 to 13 were most vulnerable to sexual abuse and the perpetrators were predominantly their relations, family members, and neighbours (Nepal 17). CWIN’s research on CSA amongst children studying in both government and private schools and street children revealed that 45 per cent of the respondents had experienced verbal sexual abuse; 29 per cent had seen porn movies and magazines; 14 per cent were involved in kissing, fondling of the genitals, oral sex, and the like. According “new kerala.com” there were 137 cases of serious child sexual abuses in Nepal within the last six months of 2004 (Nepal 17). Nepal’s conversation with 10 street children showed that seven were sexually abused and four had at least two sexual experiences with foreign paedophiles (Nepal 14). Foreigners are mostly regarded with respect and revered in Nepal. However, some of these foreigners have been involved in sexually abusing children in the name of running shelter homes for street children. Children living in the streets are vulnerable to sexual abuse by foreign paedophiles as they are attracted to the prospect of money, food or clothing and ultimately fall victim to sexual abuse. In close association with INGOs and NGOs, Nepal Women Children and Social Welfare Council (NWCSWC) prepared a paper on Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Trafficking (2001), according to which 5000 children in Kathmandu Valley alone were reported of being sexually abused.

2.8 Child Domestic Workers and Sexual Abuse The existence of CDWs is a grim reality in Nepal. A study conducted by CWISH (2005) among 415 CDWs shows that

36.14 per cent children work for more than 8 hours per day;

20.72 per cent children are ignorant about their wages while 28.92 per cent children receive less than Rs 500 per month;

85.88 percent children are school dropouts;

21.45 per cent children do not have anyone to turn to in times of need; and

76.63 per cent children express their desire to return home.

A report by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (2002) shows that 90 per cent of CDWs worldwide are girls, although in some countries (such as Nepal and Haiti) a significant number of boys are employed as domestics. The majority of children in domestic labour are between 12 and 17, but in many countries children routinely begin working as domestics well before 12 years. The state of these working children is often characterized by long working hours; harassing attitude of the employer’s family members, physical and mental abuse and, above all, the child is often subjected to sexual abuse. Most of these children come from rural areas through various connections. Poverty, illiteracy, and lack of awareness are some of the reasons for the children to become domestics. Most of their parents are illiterate and the children possess little knowledge about their rights.

Studies show that CDWs fall prey to the employers’ sexual exploitation due to the formers’ vulnerability and isolation at the latters’ homes. For example, several studies show that, in Latin America, many men have their first sexual encounter with a domestic worker. In Fiji, eight out of 10 domestic workers reported that their employers sexually abused them and in Haiti, girls are sometimes called “la pou sa”, meaning “there for that”. They are accepted sexual outlets for the men or boys of the household (UNCHR, 2002). Sexual abuse of CDWs often results in pregnancy, which is a matter of shame and guilt for the young girls. In many incidences girls are thrown out of the employers’ house and ultimately some even end up in the streets forced to work as sex workers for a living. They do not want to return home fearing rejection and becoming a source of dishonour for their families. In Bangladesh, for example, a local NGO interviewing children working in commercial sexual exploitation in the capital Dhaka found that all of them had previously worked as child domestic workers and had been sexually abused by the employer family (UNCHR 2002).

Chapter

three Findings

3.1 Socio- Economic Profiles of Respondents 3.1.1 Employers There were 60 female and 30 male employers interviewed. CDWs are very much the products of gender role division at Nepali households, because they are mostly trained by women and are viewed as responsible persons for household chores. Majority of employers (53.33%) were between 2640, followed by less than 25 (24.44%) and those 41-60 (22.22%). In terms of caste, 43 out of 90 employers were Brahmin/Chhetri, 37 were from Janajati, 1 from Dalit community and 9 from others category (those who could not be classified into any group)

Table 3.1.1: Demographic Information of Respondents Age Group

Sex Group Female

Male

Cast Group Total

Brahmin/ Janajati Xetri

Dalit

Others

No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct

No.

Pct

<25 Years 14 23.33 8

26.67 22 24.44 6

0.00 3

33.33

4.44

26-40 Yrs. 34 56.67 14

46.67 48 53.33 26 60.47 18 48.65 1

100

33.33

53.33

41-60 Yrs. 12 20

26.67 20 22.22 11 25.58 6

0.00 3

33.33

22.22

Total

100

60 100

90 100

13.95 13 35.14 0

Total

43 100

16.22 0

37 100

3.1.2 Child Domestic Workers (CDWs) Out of total CDW respondents participating on awareness survey session, the majority were girls (60.32%) followed by boys (39.67%) (Table 3.1.2). Most CDWs belonged to the 10 -14 age group (73.77%) and very few (9.18%) belonged to the less than 10 years. A significant percentage of (17.05%) CDWs belonged to 15-18 age group. The smallest child domestic worker who participated in the study was 7.

Table 3.1.2: Age group of CDWs Agegroup 05-09Years 07-09

Boys Number Percent 10 8.26

Girls Number 18

Percent 9.78

Total Number Percent 28 9.18

10-14Years

76.86

132

71.74

225

73.77

15-18Years

14.88

18.48

17.05

Total

121

39.67

184

60.32

305

100.00

Most CDWs were from the indigenous groups and very few were from Brahmin community (13.11%). In spite of the existing caste discrimination, 5.90 per cent of CDWs were from Dalit community (Table 3.1.3 ). Among the CDWs participating in prevalence study, majority (147) were from hilly ethnic groups of whom 61 were boys and 86 were girls. Terai ethnics constituted the lowest in number (only 4 boys, no girls). There was only one boy but 19 girls among the Dalit group. Out of 65 Brahmin/ Chhetri, 29 were boys and 36 were girls. Other caste groups consisted of 70 respondents with 30 boys and 40 girls. Together there were 125 boys and 181 girls. By age group, majority respondents belonged to 10-14 (227), followed by the 15-18 (52). Respondents belonging to the 7-9 age group were the lowest (only 27 children).

Table 3.1.3: Cast Details of CDWs Cast Tamang Chhetri Newar Magar Rai/Limbu Brahmin Tharu Dalit Gurung Sherpa Yadav/Ahir Rajbansi Gharti Mandal Others Total

Boys Number Percent 13 10.74 17 14.05 12 9.92 9 7.44 11 9.09 16 13.22 10 8.26 7 5.79 2 1.65 3 2.48 3 2.48 1 0.83 0 0 2 1.65 15 12.40 121 39.67

Girls Number 27 22 11 17 23 24 15 11 2 8 2 1 2 1 18 184

Percent 14.67 11.96 5.98 9.24 12.50 13.04 8.15 5.98 1.09 4.35 1.09 0.54 1.09 0.54 9.78 60.33

Total Number 40 39 23 26 34 40 25 18 4 11 5 2 2 3 33 306

Percent 13.11 12.79 7.54 8.52 11.15 13.11 8.20 5.90 1.31 3.61 1.64 0.66 0.66 0.98 10.82 100

3.2 Perspective and Practice of Employing CDWs 3.2.1 Employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective Usual work of CDWs The majority of employers agree that the major household job of their domestic helpers is washing utensils (73.33%) followed by cleaning the house (67.78%) and washing clothes (50%). Other jobs included cooking, baby sitting and grocery shopping. For employers, CDWs must comply with their demands. They must do their job with a feeling of being a part of the family and not an outsider. They must not lie or steal things. They must take initiative to do any work without having to remind them and become responsible, disciplined and hardworking. They are also expected to become fast and good learners so that they can immediately carry out their duties. In case of confusion they must speak up for clarity. Some of the employers are considerate towards the domestic chores and behaviour they expect from their CDWs due to their age factorâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a child worker. They are also aware of the importance of providing education to the child and encourage him/her for the same. On the other hand, some expect that a child must do household work perfectly and almost all the work that an adult is expected to do.

CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reward system It was found that 48.89 per cent of employers preferred to give cash to CDWs in appreciation of the jobs done, and it was more common among male employers (60%) than among female employers (43.33%). However, giving verbal appreciation (38.33%) and giving clothes (10%) was found more prevalent among female employers than among male employers (30% and none respectively). This may be due to differences of access to finance. Only a few employers took the domestic helpers for an outing or outdoor entertainment.

Preferred sex, age and caste of CDWs Employers, especially females (62.22%) preferred to have female CDWs. The common trend of preferring female CDWs is likely to stem from the traditional belief that girls are more suitable for household work. However, it was found that elder employers do not have a preference for either male or female helpers.

In houses having more male members, a male CDW is preferred, for it is safer than female. Girls are more risky in a sense they are more vulnerable, fear of being lured or even trafficking or leaving the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home without anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consent. In few cases the employers or family members purposely employed boys as domestic workers because they could sexually abuse them. Participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; view in FGD

Employers preferred to have CDWs belonging to the age group 11-14 (36.67%) and 15-16 (30%). Male employers tended to prefer older CDWs, with 26.67 per cent identifying the 15-16 age group and 23.33 per cent the 18+ age group. The preference is different among female employers; a larger number (46.67%) preferred the 11-14 age group followed by the 15-16 years age group (31.67%). It is highly serious that a large number of employers preferred children of 11-14 to employ as domestic worker, which is strictly prohibited by law. However, the employers from ethnic community were more interested in hiring the CDWs of above 16. A 53.33 per cent of the employers from other groups said they did not prefer CDW of any specific caste. Only 2.33 per cent of the employers belonging to Brahmin/Chhetri

group said they would accept Dalits as their employees. This indicates the traditional attitude to Dalits still very strong in the Brahmin/Chhetri group. But oriented to change as they are, a large number (70.27%) showed no specific caste/ ethnicity preference, any group would be acceptable for them. The majority of employers (50%) employed CDW through their close relatives, followed by their own initiative (25.56%) and through friends (10%).

3.2.2 Child Domestic Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Experience Living arrangements of CDWs The highest number of children (64.92%) lived with the employers and worked as residential domestic workers. This is followed by those living with their own family members and working as non-residential domestic workers (20.98%) and children working for their extended relationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; family (13.77%). Only a few were found living with their friends (0.33%). Younger children were more frequently found to be working as non-residential domestic workers. For example, 42.86 per cent of children of the 7-9 age group were living with their own parents and 14.29 per cent were working with their extended family relations. Only 25 per cent of children of more than 15 years were found to be living with their family, relations or friends.

Contact with families Almost all (98.03%) of the CDWsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families knew where and with whom they were staying. The majority of CDWs (96.39%) said they often visited their family and were in contact.

Most children visited their families during festivals according to their religion such as Dashain (64.92%), Tihar (19.02%), Iid (1.31%) and Chhath (1.31%). Comparatively, girls (70.11%) were found to be sent home during Dashain more than the boys (57.02%). Conversely, it was boys (22.31%) who were sent home more than the girls (16.85%) during Tihar. The boys tended to be in close contact with their families than the girls. The number of children who said it was less than 3 months since their last family contact was 48.76 per cent for boys compared to 33.70 per cent for the girls. Similarly, this statistic is also influenced by the age group of children. The younger children had more frequent contact with their family. An 11.80 per cent of children were away from their homes without contacting their parents for more than a year. However, 41.31 per cent of the children had met their families in the last 4-6 months and 7.21 per cent were in contact during the last 7-12 months.

Entrance, recruiting and working conditions In most cases the parents made the decision to send their child to work at the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s houses. This is especially the case for younger children while older children were more likely to make their own decision to become a domestic worker. The majority of respondents woke up and started their work between 5 - 6 a. m. From a gender perspective, the study indicates that the girls woke up earlier than the boys. Likewise, the respondentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time of waking up in the morning seems to be later if they are younger. About bed time, 39.29

per cent of the respondents said 9 -10 p.m. was their usual time: with male respondents tending to go to bed earlier than the females. It was also evident that the older children had a later bedtime.

CDWs’ Work at Employers’ Home Morning Buying milk, collecting flowers for pray and worship, cooking food, washing dishes, taking children to school, buying fuels, fetching water from the tap, working at employers’ business, taking care of dog, its kennel and plates, mopping the floor, wiping mirrors, making bed and rooms, polishing shoes, tending plants, assisting and doing shopping, waking up the employers, ironing the clothes and washing car

Day Vegetable shopping, having tea and washing the dishes, taking care of the siblings, taking children from school, taking dog for a walk, watering the plants, setting up the cupboard, working at employer’s business, cleaning the kitchen, attending the non formal education classes, Cleaning toilet, paying the bills and taking care of older people at home

Evening Sweeping the whole house, preparing tea, buying things from shop, watching television, combing dog’s furs, playing computer games, doing school homework, washing the dishes, preparing for evening pray, grinding the spices, cleaning gas stoves, serving drinks to the guests, taking good care of the guests and getting cigarettes and alcohol ready for the master.

The CDWs suggested a number of key factors the employers considered when they recruited a domestic worker. These were age (46.89%), skill (42.30%) and cleanliness and health (40.33%).

3.3 Perspectives on Child Sexual Abuse 3.3.1 Employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perspective Understanding of CSA Employers defined child abuse differently. For some, child abuse was giving physical punishments for minor mistakes, making them work against their working capacity, being cruel to them, locking them in rooms without food, denying them nutritious and enough food and sleep. Besides, they also indicated verbal abuse, hurting their feelings, mentally torturing them through threats, inhuman treatment, making them sleep in the cow sheds, compelling them into criminal acts, teaching them offensive and vulgar languages, making them work for meagre wages and denying them fundamental rights. At the same time they also identified other different forms of abuse such as sexual exploitation of children, involving them in watching porn movies, touching or fondling their genitals, exhibiting oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genitals, forcing to have sex with the child or raping them. Apart from physical and mental tortures, some employers included sexual abuse under child abuse. Some related child abuse to the abuse of CDWs. Others expressed child abuse as an abuse committed to children under 14. A 73.33 per cent of employers claimed that they were aware of child sexual abuse. The number is comparatively higher among the employers from Brahmin/Chhetri community, but the single Dalit employer mentioned not being aware of child sexual abuse. More than half the employers from the other caste group (55.56%) mentioned not being aware of child sexual abuse. The number of employers who mentioned not being aware of CSA was comparatively higher among female (11.67% female compared to 6.67% men) and younger employers (13.64%).

In spite of employers claiming that they were aware of child sexual abuse, only 55.56 per cent considered that both contact and non-contact forms of sexual abuses were prevalent. Interestingly, 10 per cent of the employers had no idea about sexual abuse. Though the single employer from Dalit community said he was not aware of child sexual abuse, but when he was asked to define it he was able to mention both contact and non-contact forms of abuses. The lesser number of aware female employers has put both CDWs and possibly employers’ children at risk of abuse. As almost all the CDWs are supervised by female employers, it is all the more necessary that they be aware of CSA issues in order to protect them and any other children including their own.

Table 3.3.1 A: Employers’ perception of Child Sexual Abuse (by caste) Cast Group Response

Brahmin/Xetri

Janajati

No.

Pct

No.

Only non-contact forms of abuse

2.33

Only contact forms of abuse

32.56

Both of above

Don’t know

No.

Pct

2.70

16.22

53.49

Not mentioned Total

Pct

Dalit

Others

Total

No. Pct

No.

Pct

0.00

2.22

0.00

22.22

24.44

23 62.16

100.00 3

33.33

55.56

9.30

10.81

0.00

11.11

10.00

2.33

8.11

0.00

33.33

7.78

100.00

37 100.00 1

100.00 9

100.00 90

100.00

Table 3.3.1 B: Employers’ Perception of Child Sexual Abuse (by sex and age) Sex Group Response

Only non-contact

Female

Total

<25 Yrs. 26-40Yrs. 41-60Yrs.

No. Pct No. Pct

No. Pct

No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct

1.67

Male

Age Group

3.33

2.22

0.00

Total No.

Pct

2.08 1

5.00

2.22

36.36 7

14.58 7

35.00

24.44

Both of above

32 53.33 18 60.00 5 0 55.56 10 45.45 31 64.58 9

45.00

55.56

Don’t know

11.67 2

6.67

Not mentioned

6.67

10.00 7

Total

60 100.00 30 100.00 90 100.00 22 100.00 48 100.00 20 100.00

Forms of abuse Only contact forms 16 26.67 6

20.00 2 2 24.44 8

of abuse

10.00 3

13.64 6

12.50 0

0.00

10.00

7.78

4.55

6.25 3

15.00

7.78

100.00

Child’s Vulnerability to Abuse A large number of employers seem to have a misconception that children of a certain age, social status or character are more likely to be sexually abused.

According to sex and age In regard to vulnerability of children to CSA, by sex, 60 per cent respondents felt that both boys and girls were equally so. The number of employers that identified both boys and girls as vulnerable was considerably higher among male employers of 41-60 age group (70%) and from the Brahmin/ Chhetri community (67.44%). None of the employers thought that only boys were vulnerable to sexual abuse. A 33 per cent of the respondents thought that only girls were at risk. The number of employers with this misinformation was found higher among female employers (36.67%) of less than 25 yrs (40.91%) and from Janajati group (37.84%).

The majority employers (54.44%) identified any age group to be at risk. The number of employers with this belief is found to be greater among males (56.67%) of less than 25 yrs (68.18%) and from the Janajati community (56.76%). Misinformation and the absence of knowledge among a large proportion of the population that children of any sex are at risk of sexual abuse, is likely to have put boys in a relatively more vulnerable situation. This also reinforces the social gender stereotype that leads to only girls asking for help or being given consideration in terms of safety.

According to social status When the employers who participated in the study were asked to identify the category of children which was more at risk of sexual abuse by social status, majority of them (57.78%) pointed out one that worked in small teashops. Such belief is more prevalent among female employers (65%), employers of 26-40 age group (64.58%) and employers from the Brahmin/Chhetri community (65.12%) in addition to the single Dalit employer. We do not think that our child helpers are undergoing sexual abuse. If they were undergoing such abuse, they would have told us and as they have not come to us to complain against sexual abuse, it is clear that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not happening to them in anyway. Employers with the perception that all CDWs are vulnerable to sexual abuse were found to be 41.11 per cent (45% female and 33.33% male employers). Employers with the same belief were found to be comparatively higher among those of 41-60 age groups (50%) and among Brahmin/Chhetri community (51.16%). Participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; view in FGD

According to the literacy status of children, the majority of employers (53.33%) believed that illiterate children were at risk of sexual abuse, while a significant percentage of them (34.44%) believed that even educated children were vulnerable. Some employers believed that sexual abuse happened more to poor children (45.56%) while others thought that it happened to those from rich families (34.44%) as well. As high as 47.78 per cent of employers believed that children from any social status were vulnerable to sexual abuse, but over fifty percent of them (52%) misconceived that children of certain social status were at risk.

According to the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal character Employers were also requested to express their belief in the vulnerability of children according to their personal character. Over fifty percent (53.33%) said CDWs were at risk of sexual abuse regardless of their personal characteristics, while little less than fifty percent (47 percent) believed that children with certain characteristics were more at risk. Such characteristics included innocent children (55.56%), mentally ill/retarded children (42.22%) and attractive children (43.33%).

Perception about offender According to sex of the offender Although 47.78 per cent of the respondents said both male and female could abuse children sexually, 44.44 per cent said only a male could sexually abuse children. A single female employer said only females could sexually abuse children. Among the employers who held the belief that

both males and females could sexually abuse children, the number was found to be higher among male employers (60%), among employers of less than 25 yrs age (54.55%) and among the Brahmin/Chhetri community (51.16%) along with single Dalit employer. Mostly female employers believed that only males could sexually abuse children. The findings indicate that there exists the myth that males are the major sexual offenders. This misconception puts children at risk as females are not always identified as possible offenders.

Table 3.3.2A: Employers’ Perception of Offender ( by Caste/ Ethnicity) Caste/Ethnicity

Response

Brahmin/Xetri

Janajati Pct

Dalit

No.

Pct

No.

Male only

44.19

17 45.95

Female only

0.00

Both of above

51.16

Don’t know

Not mentioned Total

Total

No. Pct

No.

Pct

0.00

44.44

0.00

1.11

16 43.24

100.00 4

44.44

47.78

4.65

5.41

0.00

11.11

5.56

0.00

2.70

0.00

1.11

100.00 37 100.00 1

2.70

Pct

Others

100.00 9

100.00 90

100.00

Table 3.3.2 B: Employers’ Perception of Offender (by Sex and Age Group) Sex Group Response

Female

Male

No. Pct No. Pct

Age Group Total

<25 Yrs. 26-40Yrs. 41-60Yrs.

No. Pct

No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct

Total No.

Pct

Male only

30 50.00 10 33.33 4 0 44.44 9

40.91 22 45.83 9

45.00 4 0

44.44

Female only

0.00 0

5.00

1.11

1.67

0.00

1.11

0.00 1

Both of above

25 41.67 18 60.00 4 3 47.78 12

54.55 22 45.83 9

45.00 43

47.78

Don’t know

5.00

6.67

5.56

4.55 4

8.33 0

0.00

5.56

Not mentioned

1.67

0.00

1.11

0.00 0

0.00 1

5.00

1.11

Total

60 100.00 30 100.00

100.00

100.00 48 100.00 20

100.00 90

100.00

According to the offenders’ personal character Regarding the offenders’ personal character, majority of respondents (63.33%) thought that people with offensive behaviour were more likely to be sexual offenders. They identified drug addicts and alcoholics as the second most likely sexual offenders (62.22%) followed by the mentally ill (43.33%) and survivors of childhood sexual abuse (43.33%). Only 38.89 per cent of employers believed that seemingly civilized people could sexually abuse children.

According to Relationship with child Regarding the offenders’ relationship with child, 42.22 per cent employers identified people in relations more likely to be offenders, followed by strangers (40%). About the same percentage (38.89%) believed that family members, friends/ peers and the neighbours could sexually abuse children. Concerning the professional attachment with the child, 42.22 per cent of employers mentioned it might be teachers who sexually abuse children, followed by 38.89 per cent hostel warden and 37.78 per cent baby sitters. By profession, 45.56 per cent employers believed transport workers (e.g. drivers, helpers and conductors) were more likely to be the offenders, while 36.67 per cent believed the domestic workers themselves could be the offenders. Over fifty percent (53.33%) employers said anyone could sexually abuse children, regardless of personality. This trend was across both male and female respondents and different age groups. The Dalit employer thought that only drug addicts could be sexual offenders. The employers’ view from different perspectives of sex, age and ethnicity is similar to commonly held misconceptions that sexual offenders are mostly people who deviate from

socially accepted behaviours. This reinforces the higher amount of risk of abuse for children, makes it all the more difficult for children to voice their abuse concern against an individual who has so-called accepted, disciplined and decent behaviours.

Risky Places Well over sixty per cent (66.67%) respondents rated lonely places as the most vulnerable places where CSA could be committed. Dark place was rated 55.56 per cent, bedrooms 48.69 per cent, hostels 35.56 per cent and any place 41.11 per cent. Little over thirty percent (33%) employers believed that sexual abuse occurred mostly outside home, while 28 per cent believed it could happen inside home as well. They identified the kitchen, terrace and toilets as areas of risk inside the home and buses and factories (places of work) outside home. The employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception that CSA happens only outside home have put children in greater risk of sexual abuse as the fact of this study showed that 29 per cent survivor children faced sexual abuse inside home.

Vulnerable Communities Just over sixty per cent (61.11%) employers rated an illiterate community as the most probable community where CSA could occur. A significant percentage of employers (25.56%) believed CSA could happen within the educated community as well. Only 36.67 per cent employers opined that CSA could occur in any community. Pointing to the financial position of community, 43.33 per cent employers believed that CSA mostly occurred in poor

communities, while 27.78 per cent believed it could occur in both the middle class and rich communities. At the same time, 41.11 per cent employers believed children were more vulnerable in the working class community than in a slum community (40%), rural community (25.56%) or urban community (32.22%). Although the respondents generally believe that CSA takes place in societies where people are poor, illiterate and underprivileged, yet they also mention that urban and rich families or societies too are not entirely free from it. It is to be noted that a third of respondents believe that CSA can happen in any community.

Responsibility of the Crime The majority of respondents (73.33%) think that the child offenders (as opposed to the children) are responsible for child abuse. Employers with this view were found to be comparatively higher among female (76.67%), employers If CSA is committed for the first time it is the fault of an offender but if it continues for longer period then a child is responsible. Participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; view expressed in FGD older than 25 (75%) and among the Brahmin/Chhetri community (74.42%) together with the other caste group category (77%). However, there are still 13.33 per cent employers who believe both offenders and the children to be responsible for the abuse. And they are more males (20%) in 41-60 age group (15%) from the Brahmin/Chhetri community (16.28%).

Table 3.3.3 A: Employers’ Perception to be Responsible for CSA (by Caste/Ethnicity) Caste/EthniGroup Response

Brahmin/Xetri No.

Janajati

Pct

No.

Dalit

Pct

No.

Pct

Others

Total

No. Pct

No.

Pct

Male only

44.19

17 45.95

0.00

44.44

Children themselves

2.33

0.00

2.22

Offenders

74.42

27 72.97

0.00

77.78

73.33

Both of above

16.28

0.00

13.33

2.70 13.51

Others

0.00

5.41

0.00

2.22

Don’t know

6.98

5.41

100.00 2

22.22

8.89

Total

100.00 37 100.00 1

100.00 9

100.00 90

100.00

There are 2 out of 90 respondents, who think child sexual abuse is the fault of the child. This number constitutes 2.22 percent of the total respondents, and is from the 41-60 age group.

Table 3.3.3 B: Employers’ Perception to be Responsible for CSA (by Sex and Age) Sex Group Response

Female

Male

No. Pct No. Pct Children themselves 1

1.67

3.33

Age Group Total

<25 Yrs. 26-40Yrs. 41-60Yrs.

No. Pct

No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct

2.22

0.00 2

4.17 0

Total No.

Pct

0.00

2.22

Offenders

46 76.67 20 66.67 66

73.33

68.18 36 75.00 15

75.00

73.33

Both of above

10.00 6

20.00 12

13.33

18.18 5

10.42 3

15.00

13.33

Others

3.33

0.00

2.22

0.00 1

2.08 1

5.00

2.22

Don’t know

8.33

10.00 8

8.89

13.64 4

8.33 1

5.00

8.89

Total

60 100.00 30 100.00 90

100.00

100.00 48 100.00 20

100.00

The concept that both children and the offenders are responsible for child sexual abuse provides offenders with a pretext (albeit false) to escape from responsibility and legal punishment. It also increases the re-victimization of children and restricts child complaints for fear of further suffering.

Reasons behind CSA Forty per cent of employers felt that child sexual abuse was committed because children were weak and helpless. About thirty-seven percent (36.67%) thought that it occurred as children could not oppose or say no to what was happening. Thirty-two percent (32.22%) believed it was easy to persuade children and 32.11 per cent thought it was easy to threaten children. About twenty-seven percent (26.67%) employers believed that the offender thought and knew that a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complaint would not be taken seriously or believed. Only 13.33 per cent thought that CSA happened because the child was attractive. Similarly, 34.44 per cent employers believed that offenders sexually molested children primarily for their own enjoyment and entertainment or because they could not maintain an adult-adult sexual relationship (16.67%). An offender commits CSA taking advantage of his/her status or power relations. She/he has the advantage of being in a powerful or superior position. In terms of abuse against CDW, the children are in a lowly position compared to their employer, and far away from home or people with whom he/she can rely on. Thus if the offender happens to be the employer he/she thinks children cannot oppose him or speak against him/her. In some cases, she/he threatened the child saying he/she would be sent home with false accusation like theft. Thus the helpless child is left with threat, and sometimes his/her own desire to stay in the cities forces him/her to rather quietly accept the abuse and suffer in silence. Participants view in FGD

Frequency of abuse a child may face About forty-eight per cent (47.78%) employers thought that child sexual abuse could occur many times to a single child. Similarly, 41.11 per cent had no idea about the reoccurrence of sexual abuse. Regarding employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception about the number of offenders sexually abusing the same child, 31.11 per cent said that the same person could abuse a child several times. Another 11.11 per cent thought the same person could commit CSA only once. Thirty-three percent (33.33 per cent) male and 30 per cent female respondents said that one-person committed CSA by several times. Different age groups and caste/ethnic groups followed the same steps. Similarly, if it was CSA by a group of people, then 17.78 per cent believed they might commit it several times, while another 13.33 per cent thought they committed only once. About thirty-nine per cent (38.89%) respondents said they had no knowledge about it. The absence of knowledge among a large number of employers about the risk of repeated sexual abuse of a child has implications for the safety of children.

Ways of sexually abusing children Out of 90 employers, 56.67 per cent believed that children were threatened into abuse. Also they identified persuading or offering gifts to children (both 48.89%) as a means to coerce them into a situation of sexual abuse. More than forty percent (47.78%) employers said that abuse was committed forcefully. Both males and females shared similar views. The higher age group categories gave higher percentages for persuasion and threat than the low age group category of respondents. The Dalit respondent had no idea about the ways of committing child sexual abuse.

Signs and symptoms of sexually abused children About forty-eight percent (47.78 percent) respondents rated pregnancy as the most common signal that a child was sexually abused. Similarly, 46.67 per cent thought that wounds and bruises on the body were the symptoms, and this was followed by those (45.56%) who said children Sexual abuse could happen to both girls and boys. However, when abuse is committed to girls it brings serious consequences unlike in case of boys. If a girl is raped she might get pregnant or she will have to face disgrace from the society at large, not get married and so on. And it is the nature of our society to forgive boys quite easily. Participants’ View on FGD showing odd behaviours like being extremely afraid of certain places, things, scenes and persons. A comparatively higher percentage of male respondents felt pregnancy was the common sign of sexual abuse. Similarly, female respondents’ percentage was higher for the odd behaviours shown due to abuse. From the age category, lower age groups rated wounds and bruises as the major symptoms, whereas for the higher age group, pregnancy was the main.

Case of Champa A 12 year old Champa attends the NFE class run by CWISH and works as non resident domestic worker in Kathmandu. Her whole family is displaced to Kathmandu looking for better opportunity from the far western region of Nepal. Once her father fell sick and one of her mother’s male co-workers came to visit him. They lived in one rented room, so they were forced to share the same room that night. Her mother’s co-worker and Champa were made to share the same bed. When Champa woke up the man was forcefully trying to sex

with her. She tried to protest it, but too much scared, she gave in and the man succeeded to rape her, right in the presence of her parents, who were then fast asleep. Next morning when she told the night’s event to her mother, much to her dismay, the mother utterly reacted and instead in anger blamed her. She did not believe Champa. But as negative physical effect, Champa frequently experiences ache in her abdomen and this has psychologically given her a deathly feeling which often eats her. That apart, recently one of her mother’s relations too sexually abused her. He fondled her breast and sexual organ, which she dare not protest or tell her mother, for she knows she would not trust her.

Reasons for children’s complaining of sexual abuse Sixty-one percent (61.11%) respondents thought that children sometimes revealed the sexual abuses committed against them because they felt better while sharing their sufferings with the trusted ones. Twenty-two percent (22.22%) mentioned it because they might have seen or heard of sexual abuse. About eighteen percent (17.78%) said that children made false stories about sexual abuses and 11.11 per cent said that children enjoyed talking about sexual abuses, but 10 per cent showed the possibility of all the options. Different age groups, sex and ethnic groups shared rather similar views.

Reasons for not children’s complaining sexual abuse Regarding why children felt reluctant to complain against sexual abuse, 55.56 per cent employers mentioned this was because the offenders threatened them. This was followed by other reasons, that talking about sex was a social taboo (38.89%), that there was fear of losing family prestige (35.56%) and the fear of self-punishment (33.33%). Besides

Mostly children avoid telling the truth regarding abuses against them, as they are worried about the kind of humiliation and embarrassment they might have to face from the society at large. Children even donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t share this with their own family members. Further their own parents, employers or guardians are likely to scold the children themselves for instigating such an action. Participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; View on FGD social stigma attached to reporting the abuse, children not being aware of what was happening to them and wanting to forget the event of abuse. Twenty-four percent (24.44%) employers believed that children themselves felt blamed for what had happened to them. Both male and female respondents of different age and ethnic groups shared similar views. The Dalit respondent felt that it brought a loss of family prestige.

Recommended support agency for children Fifty-four percent (54.44 percent) respondents felt family members were most important in providing support to the children who suffered sexual abuse, but 47.11 percent said NGOs and 41.11 percent felt police were the appropriate agencies to support them. Both male and female members It is the duty of the elders to create an environment where a child victim can come for help without hesitation. For this purpose communication with the children is significant factor and scolding children without understanding the fact must be avoided. Any sort of pressure on the children will have negative impact on them who have gone through such trauma. Participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; View on FGD and different age groups rated family support the highest. The 41-60 age groups felt it was the police. The percentages of employers mentioning teachers (28.89%), friends (27.78%) and employers themselves (22.22%) were lower than expected.

Preference for family support could suggest sexual abuse being considered a social stigma; so, people want such incidences to be resolved within their homes without causing any humiliation to the child and damage to the family prestige. The lower preference for teachers and friends may be due to lack of confidence in them. Likewise, the low preference for employers might be because they believe employers will think it an excuse to escape work duties.

Case of Devi Devi is a pretty sixteen-year-old girl working as a domestic worker since past two years. She is working in a middle class joint family. From the time Devi started to work in her employer’s house, the employer’s wife never stopped telling her to lock the door of her room at night. She did not have a proper room of her own so she slept in the kitchen. Most of the time the employer’s wife stayed at home. The daughters-in-law cautioned her not to go to the employer’s bedroom when he is alone. They even told her how he used to harass the former maids, appreciating their physique or saying that they are grown ups and their breasts have increased and similar offending things. Even Devi had several experiences where the employer, who was more than 60 years old, purposely tried to touch her and said how beautiful she was. Once the employer’s wife was in the hospital taking care of the youngest daughter–in-law who had given birth to a baby. The employer called Devi in his room and ordered her to bring some oil saying his legs were aching and that he needed massaging. Devi felt awkward and told this to the elder daughter-in-law, who in turn told Devi not to do so. It was around 8:30 in the evening. All other members of the family were having their dinner. The employer, aged 61, kept ringing the bell, summoning her to his room.

The family members dare not say a word, for the employer was a very strict person and others feared his anger. Reluctantly she went, holding oil for massaging. Once she entered the room the employer was in a jolly mood and smiled at her folding his pyjama upwards to reveal his legs. Devi was nervous and did not know what to do but upon the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s order she started to massage his leg. While doing so he tried to converse with her. Devi kept answering whatever she was asked. Suddenly he grabbed her hands and in laugh he tried to direct them towards his genital telling her that he wants massaging there too. Extremely frightened Devi managed to take her hands off and ran towards the dressing room next to the bedroom and managed to escape from the bedroom. All this time the employer was chasing her. Shaken she went inside the kitchen and locked herself and put off the lights. Devi told this to the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife. She believed her and she was cautious not to let such things happen after that. Later, Devi left the place to work for some other family. But she never forgets what had happened to her and even now she avoids talking to the male members of the house. (While narrating her story, Devi giggled and laughed to herself. She frequently shut her eyes and hid her face behind her cloth.)

Educating children about CSA and protection skills About ninety-seven percent (96.77%) employers felt that education on child sexual abuse must be provided to the children. All of the respondents from the lowest age group said children needed such education. This is a positive sign, which could facilitate and help in providing awareness on child sexual abuses, especially to the children employed by the participating employers.

3.3.2 Child Domestic Workers’ Perspective About Child Rights Fifty-two per cent (52.07%) boys and 54.89 per cent girls claimed that they were aware of child rights. However, the definition they gave of child rights was often inaccurate reflecting the need for better education on this issue. About forty-eight per cent (47.93%) boys and 45.11 per cent girls had no knowledge about child rights. From among the respondents who said they were aware about child rights, 62.50 per cent belonged to Terai castes/ethnic groups. Seventy-one per cent (71.43%) CDWs of 7-9 age group did not know about child rights.

CDWs Definition of Child Rights Four Pillars of RoC Right to Life

Right to development

Right to participation

Right to Protection

Definition of Children · Right to medication (10) · Right to food, clothing and shelter (35) · Right to education (49) · Right to play (28) · Right to be loved (13) · Right to pursue one’s life’s aim (1) · Right to movement (1) · Right to Work (1) · Right to go out (8) · Right to rest and sleep (3) · Right to happiness (1) · Right to entertainment · Right to information (1) · Right to speech (13) · Right to listen to elders (1) · Right to work as one’s will and capacity (17) · Right to participate in activities concerning the children (1) · Right to be with one’s family (9) · Right to proper salary (1) · Right to live without discrimination between girls and boys (1) · Right to live in peaceful environment (1) · Not to make children work at tender age (2) · Right to property (1) · Right against exploitation (1) ·Right to get respect (1)

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Irrespective of age, sex and caste/ethnicity, 99.02 per cent children claimed they knew about CSA. However, in further discussion, 89.18 per cent children identified contact forms of sexual abuse as child sexual abuse while only 2.30 per cent considered non-contact forms as sexual abuse; 5.25 per cent of respondents did not have any knowledge about sexual abuse. Although the majority respondents said they knew about CSA, only a few replied that both contact and non-contact forms of sexual abuse were considered sexual abuse when asked categorically. Many understood CSA in terms of only contact forms. This identifies an information gap regarding the definition of child abuse, which in turn puts children at risk.

Table 3.3.4 A: CDWs Definition of Child Sexual Abuse (by Caste/Ethnicity)

Options

Brahmin/ Chhetri

Hilly Janajati

Caste/Ethnic Group Dalit Terai Others Janajati

Total

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

Non-contact forms

1.27

2.14

5.56

5.71

0.00

2.30

Contact forms

92.41 73

89.29 125

83.33

85.71

87.88

89.18

272

Others

3.80

5.00

0.00

3.28

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

2.53

3.57

11.11

8.57

12.12

5.25

Total

100.00 7 9 100.00 1 4 0 100.00 1 8

No.

100.00 3 5 100.00 3 3 100.00 3 0 5

Table 3.3.4 B: CDWs Definition of Child Sexual Abuse (by Sex and Age) Sex Group Options

Female

Male

Pct No. Pct No. Non contact Forms

2.48 3

2.17 4

Age Group Total

Pct No. 2.30

07 < 09

10 < 14

15 < 18

Pct No. Pct No. Pct No. 3.57

2.67 6

0.00 0

Total Pct

No.

2.30

Contact forms

88.43 107 89.67 165 89.18 272 82.15 23 89.33 201 92.31 48

89.18

272

Others

4.96 6

2.17 4

3.28

0.00

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

4.13 5

5.98 11 5.25

14.28 4

Total

100.00 121 100.00 184 100.00 305 100.00 28 100.00 225 100.00 52

3.56 8

3.85 2

3.28

4.44 10

3.85 2

5.25

100.00

305

Vulnerability of Children A significant percentage (46.43%) of the 7-9 age group believed that only girls were vulnerable to sexual abuse. Out of total respondents, 33.77 per cent believed that only girls were vulnerable to sexual abuse. However, 58.94 per cent respondents thought that both sexes were equally susceptible to sexual abuses. About eighty-six percent (85.64%) girl respondents thought that CDWs were vulnerable to sexual abuse while 82.64 per cent boy respondents opined that illiterate children were more vulnerable to sexual abuse. Elder children thought that CDWs were more vulnerable to sexual abuse and there was a general perception from all respondents that children of age group 10-18 were more vulnerable to sexual abuse. As high as seventy-eight percent (77.69%) boy respondents considered attractive children to be more at risk and particularly females wearing short and revealing/transparent clothes were vulnerable to sexual abuse. Similarly, 66.67 per

cent of the 7-9 age group children considered innocent, and attractive, were more likely to be sexually abused. Besides, the Brahmin/Chhetri, Janajati, Dalits and others felt that children of 10-18 were more vulnerable to sexual abuse. The Madhesi caste/ethnic groups were of the view that children of any age group were vulnerable. Sixty-six per cent (66.12%) male respondents considered the 10 -15 age group as more vulnerable while 52.49 per cent female respondents considered the 15 -18 age group as more vulnerable.

About Ooffenders Irrespective of caste/ethnicity, sex and age, most respondents believed that it was the drug users and alcoholics who committed CSA (83.61%), While 62.96 per cent children of 7-9 age group thought strangers were the perpetrators of CSA. Sixty-one per cent (61.31%) children said CSA could happen outside home, while 38.03 per cent said it could happen anywhere.

Vulnerable Families and Communities Seventy-two percent (72.22%) Dalit believed that CSA occurred mostly in rich families, while 89.33 per cent Brahmin/Chhetri group said it could usually occur in slum areas. Well, about eighty-two per cent (82.50%) Janajati believed CSA occurred mostly in the illiterate communities, while those respondents from the Madhesi caste/ethnic group thought both illiterate and working class families were susceptible to CSA. Conversely, 80.87 per cent male respondents identified abuse as more likely to occur in urban families and 82.29 per cent of female respondents viewed illiterate families as more susceptible to it. As high as 90 per cent 15-18 age group viewed the working class as vulnerable to CSA.

Responsibility of Crime About seventy-eight per cent (77.93%) respondents thought the offender to be responsible for CSA. However, 14.43 per cent thought both the child and the offender were at fault, 5.39 per cent didn’t know who it was and 1.97 per cent thought it was the child. It is a matter of serious concern that a significant number of children do not know that they are not responsible for being sexually abused.

Table 3.3.5 A: Children’s Belief in Who is Responsible for CSA (by Caste) Options

Brahmin/ Chhetri Pct.

Caste Group Terai Dalit Janajati

Hilly Janajati

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

Pct.

No.

0.00

Others Pct.

No.

2.53

2.86

Offender

79.75

80.00 112

72.22

74.29

26 69.70

23 77.70

237

Both

11.39

13.57 19

11.11

25.71

15.15

14.43

Don’t know

6.33

3.57

16.67

0.00

15.15

5.90

Total

100.00 7 9

Pct.

Children

100.00 1 4 0 100.00 1 8

0.00

Total

1.97

100.00 3 5 100.00 3 3 100.00 3 0 5

Table 3.3.5 B: Children’s Belief in Who is Responsible for CSA (by Sex and Age) Sex Group Options

Female

Age Group

Male

07 < 09

10 < 14

15 < 18

Total

Children

Pct 3.31

No. 4

Pct 1.09

No. 2

Pct 0.00

Offender

73.55

80.43

148

75.00 21 76.44 172 84.62 44

77.70 2 3 7

Both

19.83

10.87

7.14

Don’t know

3.31

Total

100.00 1 2 1

No. Pct No. Pct No. Pct 0 2.22 5 1.92 1 1.97

No. 6

15.56 35

13.46 7

14.43 4 4

5.78 13

0.00 0

5.90

7.61

17.86 5

100.00

184

100.00 2 8 100.00 2 2 5 100.00 5 2 100.00 3 0 5

Reasons Behind Sexual Abuse About eighty-one per cent (80.87%) boy respondents thought it was easy to entice children to succumb to sexual abuse. Similarly, the majority of girl respondents thought children were weak and na誰ve and that they could not say no to the demands of adults which could lead to their sexual abuse.

Ways of Sexually Abusing Children Eighty-six per cent (86.09%) of boy respondents thought that pretending to show love and affection, and bribery were the key means by which were the children succumbed to abuse. About seventy-nine per cent (78.88%) of girl respondents thought bribery was a key method. Children of the 7-9 age group said that intimidation and threats could also lead to sexual abuse. All of the above reasons illustrate that children are deceived in different ways into an abusive situation.

3.4. Prevalence of Sexual Abuse of CDWs 3.4.1 Experience of Sexual Abuse Out of 306 respondents, 168 (55%) replied that they had experienced sexual abuse. The majority of the respondents who reported to have experienced sexual abuse were girls (100). The 7-9 age group experienced the least sexual abuse, which consisted of 9 respondents. The majority of those who had experienced abuse were of the 10-14 age group with 115 respondents. Although there were a higher number of girls who stated they had experienced abuse, the fact that 40.48 per cent of boys reported they had suffered sexual abuse is in contrast to the general belief where only girls are considered to be the victims of sexual abuse.

Table 3.4.1 A: Sexual Abuse CDWs’ (by Caste )

Respons

Brahmin/ Chhetri No.

Caste/Ethnic Group Dalit Madheshi Others Janajati Ethnic

Hilly Ethnic

Pct

No.

Pct

No.

Pct

No.

Pct

No.

Total

Pct

No.

Pct

Suffered

53.85 75

51.02 14

70.00

50.00 42

60.00 168

54.90

Not suffered

46.15 72

48.98 6

30.00

50.00 28

40.00 138

45.10

Total

100.00 1 4 7 100.00 2 0

100.00 4

100.00 7 0

100.00 3 0 6

100.00

Table 3.4.1 B: Sexual Abuse CDWs’ (by Age and Sex) Response

Age Group 05-09 Pct

Suffered Not suffered Total

9 18 27

No.

10-14 Pct

33.33 115 66.67 112 100.00 2 2 7

No.

Sex Group 15-18 Pct No.

50.66 44 49.34 8 100.00 5 2

Boys Pct

84.62 68 15.38 57 100.00 1 2 5

No.

Girls Pct

54.40 100 45.60 81 100.00 1 8 1

Total No.

Pct

No.

55.25 168 54.90 44.75 138 45.10 100.00 3 0 6 100.00

Case of Mohan Mohan Ghising is a 12 year old CDW from Dolakha. He came to Kathmandu about three years ago with his father and stepmother. Mohan had started working for a lower middle class family of four members. The employer has a daughter and a son. The son often behaves in a cruel manner with him. He started to call him to his bedroom and sexually abuse him. He even made Mohan to masturbate him in the absence of his own parents. He forced him to join him while watching a porn movie. All of this time Mohan was scared to expose the truth to his employers. The employer’s son threatened to kill him and put all the blame on him if he ever dared to tell this to anyone. Mohan constantly lived in fear and guilt. He dared not to tell this to his own father who lived quite nearby. He fears that his father might not believe him and his employer might become angry to hear this.

3.4.2 Forms of Sexual Abuse Out of 168 respondents, 48.53 per cent boys and 54.79 per cent girls said they had experienced non-contact forms of sexual abuse. Of these children, 70.29 per cent were of 7 14 age group. Though among total CDWs the smaller age group has less percentage on experience of sexual abuse, among the 7-9 age group, out of total children mentioned experienced sexual abuse 77.78 per cent had experienced contact forms of sexual abuse, higher than the other age groups. Further, the table shows that boys (51.47%) are equally suffered from both forms of abuses, especially, contact forms of sexual abuse. Similarly, 60 per cent of girls experienced contact forms of sexual abuse. From the total 168 respondents experiencing sexual abuse, 54 or 32.14 per cent experienced fondling and touching. The majority of these children were girls (64.81%). Other sexual activities that were predominantly encountered by girls were use of obscene language, pornographic activities and rape. Likewise, for boys it was pornographic activities, touching, fondling, use of obscene language, forced masturbation and anal sex. One of the boys reported rape and none reported oral sex. Younger age groups mostly reported to have experienced fondling and touching. This could suggest that children in this age had little knowledge of what was happening to them. When they experienced such abuse, they could even misinterpret it as affection. Four children in 10 -14 age group and 3 in 15-18 age groups had suffered from rape. Most cases of abuse were experienced recently. Thirteen per cent (13.10%) children said to have forgotten when the abuse occurred, which may suggest either they did not want to remember the incident or they were very young when the abuse occurred. The majority of the respondents denied

having experienced recent continuous abuse. However, 34 per cent of children said they were currently experiencing sexual abuseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;contact and/or non-contact.

Table 3.4.2 A: Forms of Sexual Abuse CDWs Suffered (by Caste/Ethnicity)

Forms

Brahmin/ Chhetri Pct

No.

Pct

No.

Pct

No.

48.57 27

36.00

57.14

100.00

Use of obscene 11 language, signals and acts

31.43 21

28.00

57.14

50.00

Pornographic activities

17.14 6

8.00

14.29

No.

Others

Pct

Non-contact forms

No.

Caste Group Madheshi Dalit Janajati

Hilly Ethnic

Pct

Total No.

Pct

45.24

43.45

26.19

30.95

50.00

21.43

14.29

Contact forms

51.43 48

64.00

42.86

0.00

54.76

56.55

Fondling

11.43 29

38.67

14.29

0.00

42.86

31.55

Made to touch others private 1 parts

2.86

0.00

0.60

Forcefully kissing

8.57

5.33

0.00

2.38

4.76

Made to masturbate

2.86

4.00

7.14

0.00

2.98

Oral sex

2.86

0.00

0.60

Anal sex

0.00

2.67

7.14

0.00

2.38

Rape

5.71

4.00

0.00

4.76

4.17

Others Total

6 53

17.14 7 9.33 2 151.43 1 2 3 164.00 1 4

0.00 100.00

1 42

2.38 16 9.52 100.00 168 100.00

14.29 0 100.00 2

Table 3.4.2 B: Forms of Sexual Abuse CDWs Suffered (by Age and Sex) Age Group

Forms

05-09 No.

Sex Group

10-14 No.

15-18 No.

Boys

No.

Girls No.

Total %

No.

Non-contact forms

22.22 56

48.70 15

34.09

48.53 40

40.00 73

43.45

Use of obscene language, signals and acts

11.11

28.70 10

22.73

22.06 37

37.00 52

30.95

Pornographic activities

11.11

20.00 5

11.36

32.35 7

7.00

17.26

Contact forms

77.78 59

51.30 29

65.91

51.47 60

60.00 95

56.55

Fondling

55.56 31

26.96 17

38.64

26.47 35

35.00 53

31.55

Made to touch others private parts 0

0.00

0.87

0.00

1.47

0.00

0.60

Forcefully kissing

11.11

4.35

4.55

4.41

5.00

4.76

Made to masturbate 0

0.00

3.48

2.27

7.35

0.00

2.98

Oral sex

0.00

0.87

0.00

1.00

0.60

Anal sex

0.00

1.74

4.55

4.41

1.00

2.38

Rape

0.00

3.48

6.82

1.47

6.00

4.17

Others

11.11

9.57

9.09

5.88

12.00 16

Total

177.78 174 151.30 73

165.91 68

9.52

100.00 100 100.00 168 100.00

3.4.3 Current Forms of Sexual Abuse Out of the 57 respondents who reported continuous sexual abuse, the majority of girls, reported non-contact abuse and boys contact forms of abuse. Those experiencing abuse in the 7-9 age group, all reported contact forms of sexual abuse. Among the current forms of sexual abuse, 38.60 per cent reported use of obscene language, 31.59 per cent touching and fondling, 12.28 per cent pornographic activities, 5.26 per cent kissing, 1.75 per cent masturbating and 1.75 per cent rape. Among the girls, 48.57 per cent reported use of obscene language and 36.36 per cent of boys reported touching and fondling.

The findings show that majority of female respondents are experiencing non-contact forms of abuse in recent times while the trend is opposite amongst the males. This shows that although girls are facing more instances of sexual abuse, it is boys who are more often experiencing the contact forms of sexual abuse.

3.4.4 About the Offender Sixty-six per cent (66.07%) respondents who reported experiencing abuse said that only one person had committed the sexual abuse. For both girls and boys this phenomenon was similar. The older the child, less likely is the multiple offendersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; involvement. The majority of respondents (82.74%) reported they were abused by males. Of these children, 37.41 per cent were boys and the rest were girls. Where a female was identified as an offender, 87.50 per cent of those abused were boys and 12.50 per cent girls. It seems that the majority of offenders were of opposite sex. However, there were some children who reported being abused by offenders of both sexes and 75 per cent of these children were boys. This figure illustrates that not only are boys at risk of getting abused, but there is equal chance from either sex. Out of the total respondents, 42.86 per cent identified offenders as being less than 18 years. Further, 31.31 per cent said the offenders were in the 19-30 age bracket. Boys were the only respondents who reported that the offenders were sometimes younger than themselves (8.82%). Responses given by the participants regarding the type of personality of the offender showed that anyone could be an offender. The most popular response was urban dweller (22.62%) followed by the seemingly civilized (19.64%),

alcoholics and drug users (19.05%), addict and bad mannered (17.86%), worker (16.67%) and educated (16.67%).

3.4.5 Offender-Survivorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Relationship Sixty-seven per cent (67.26%) CDWs said that the respondent or the victim did not know his/her sexual offenders, 32.14 per cent of respondents said the offender was acquainted with the CDW, 14.88 per cent of children identified the offender as a neighbour followed by other domestic workers and own friends.

3.4.6 Places where CDWs are Sexually Abused From the total respondents, 73.81 per cent reported that abuse occurred outside their home, while 29 per cent said the abuse occurred inside the home.

3.4.7 Ways in which the abuse started From the findings, 26.19 per cent respondents said that the abuse started on the pretext of frequent meetings and knowing the offender. This included offering friendship, showing affection and offering goods. Fifteen per cent respondents said they were threatened by their offender. For the lowest age group, bribing with goods and showing affection, threatening and using power and position were relatively higher. For the higher age group, frequent meetings and knowing each other was more prominent.

Case of Anju A 16 year old girl Anju came from Taplejung. She started living with her cousin as domestic worker, who also came from the same village. She helped her cousin to look after her small child and she thought she was happy and safe until one night when her cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband tried to abuse her sexually. Taking advantage of her wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s absence, her husband knocked the door and tried to convince her that there was no need to lock her bedroom and that it was safe and secure to let it open during the night. Innocently she unlocked the door of her bedroom and went off to sleep. In the middle of the night she found her cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband sitting right next to her in bed and trying to sex with her. However, she convinced the man that it was wrong and that they would be betraying her cousin. Although she succeeded in saving herself from that incident she could not tell her cousin about what had happened to her. The findings show that abuse is more likely to take place after the offender is somehow acquainted with the victim. It also suggests that smaller children become victims due to their relative innocence and lack of power.

3.4.8 Immediate Psychological Impact on Survivors The findings reveal that the majority of the respondents felt anger towards the offender. Similarly they also felt afraid of and hurt and had feelings of self-hatred. A higher percentage of girls felt like committing suicide compared to the boys. Almost an equal percentage of girls felt self-hatred. Surprisingly, none of the smaller age groups felt afraid of what was happening to them which suggests that they may not have understood that they were being abused.

Case of Ritu Ritu was sent to work as domestic worker in Kathmandu few years back. When she was about 10, she lived in her hometown. Once she was alone in her house. There was a street vender next to her house and a young man about 18 had come there. She had never seen that person before but to her surprise he came directly to her house and demanded her to sit on the staircase of her house. He took off his pants and forced his genitals inside her mouth. She tried to escape but the man was too big for her and she was forced to comply. He threatened to kill her in case she told this to anyone. He even tried to offer her some noodles and biscuits after the incident. Ritu is unable to forget this horrible incident and she had started to dislike all men. She is scared of men and she often gets nightmares and gets sleepless nights from that day.

3.4.9 Survivors’ Efforts to Get Support Almost an equal number of respondents said they had either confided in someone about the sexual abuse, or avoided to do so (86 or 51.19% disclosed while 48.81% did not reveal). Amongst those who had confided in someone, the majority were girls. Boys preferred not to tell anyone about the sexual abuse. From the age perspective, the lower age groups preferred not to tell about the incidence while the majority of the higher age groups told someone else. From the 86 respondents who told someone about the sexual abuse, 24.42 per cent told their parents and 23.26 per cent told their friends. Others revealed the incidence to the employer’s spouse or the employer’s family members. No one reported the abuse to the police or other organizations. Similarly, the majority of the girls preferred to report the abuse to their parents, employer’s spouse, friends and

employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family members respectively. For boys it was friends, parents and employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spouse. The lowest age group reported only to the employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spouse. In cases where the confidants were mostly peers, the children may not have received appropriate help or support from them. This shows that intervention and awareness about sexual abuse is significant to children. This would help increase their capacity to get appropriate support or to help others in times of need. From the total respondents who said that they had told someone about the sexual abuse, the majority said that their confidant had promised them to help. Others had taught the survivor the protection skills. However, some survivors were ignored and did not get any sort of help or support. None informed the NGOs for help. It seems that girls were promised help by the confidant while boys were taught protection skills. Amongst the boys, none of the confidants reported the abuse to the police. Higher age groups were more often assured of support while lower age groups were often ignored or taught protection skills. From this figure it is obvious that although many were given positive responses, others were either punished, or faced disbelief or got a scolding.

3.4.10 Reasons for Not Revealing the Abuse Fifty-one per cent (51.22%) respondents who preferred not to confide in anyone about the sexual abuse against them said that the major reason was the social stigma attached to it. Almost 30 per cent said they hid the truth because they were either threatened or the offender had asked them to keep the incident secret. This reason was followed by fear of punishment, disbelief, fear of separation from the

family, wanting to forget the incidence, and fear of losing job respectively. This trend was similar age-wise and sexwise. This finding is consistent with the general belief that sexual abuse still remains a taboo, hindering possible support and help for the victims of sexual abuse.

3.4.11 Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Perception of their Vulnerability and Planned Protection Skills Prior to the questionnaire being undertaken, the respondents (the children) were provided with information on child sexual abuse. Therefore, they had already gained some knowledge on issues of sexual abuse. In spite of this, 71.90 per cent of the total respondents reported that they were not vulnerable to sexual abuse in future. Among the boys, 78.40 per cent said they were not at risk, while for girls the figure was at 67.40 per cent. And 51.92 per cent in the higher age group thought they were at risk. These figures suggest that a single education session is not effective for children to adequately understand the key issues surrounding CSA. While facing the abuse, majority respondents thought that they would tell it to their parents and friends as a means of protection. Fifty-nine per cent (59.11%) girls and 40.89 per cent boys said they would run away. Some still felt they would not tell anyone and tolerate the abuse silently. Many in the lower age groups still were not sure about what they would do in such a situation. The higher age groups felt they would complain against the abuse to parents, teachers, employers or use other ways to protect themselves. Some children from this group also felt they would not tell anyone.

Table 3.4.3A: Children Perceived Vulnerability and Planned Protection Skill (by Caste/Ethnicity) Vulnerability

Brahmin/ Chhetri No.

Vulnerable

Not at risk

Caste/Ethnic Group Madheshi Dalit Others Janajati

Hilly Ethnic No.

Total

No.

35.38 32

21.77

40.00

0.00

31.43

% 27.78

64.62 115

78.23

55.00

100.00

68.57

220 71.90

Not mentioned 0 Protection skill

0.00

5.00

0.00

Yell

73.85 107

72.79

75.00

25.00

72.86

222 72.55

Push offender

61.54 105

71.43

60.00

25.00

61.43

201 65.69

Run away towards crowd

84.62 111

75.51

60.00

25.00

65.71

225 73.53

Complain with 47 parents and friends

72.31 121

82.31

60.00

75.00

78.57

238 77.78

Complain with 47 facilitators

72.31 107

72.79

55.00

75.00

60.00

210 68.63

Complain with 40 employers

61.54 96

65.31

65.00

100.00

60.00

195 63.73

Keep quiet and tolerate

6.15

7.48

0.00

4.29

5.88

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

0.00

3.40

5.00

0.00

1.43

2.29

Others

0.00

2.04

5.00

0.00

1.31

Total

100.00 1 4 7 100.00 2 0

100.00

100.00 3 0 6 100.00

100.00 4

0.33

Table 3.4.3 B: Children Perceived Vulnerability and Planned Protection Skill (by Age and Sex) Age Group

Vulnerability

05-09 No.

Sex Group

10-14 No.

15-18 No.

Boys

No.

Girls No.

Total %

No.

Vulnerable

18.52 53

23.35 27

51.92

21.60 58

32.04 85

27.78

Not at risk

81.48 174

76.65 24

46.15

78.40 122

67.40 220

71.90

Not mentioned Protection skill

0.00

1.92

0.00

0.55

0.33

Yell

51.85 175

77.09 33

63.46

64.80 141

77.90 222

72.55

Push offender

40.74 159

70.04 31

59.62

60.00 126

69.61 201

65.69

Run away towards crowd

51.85 175

77.09 36

69.23

73.60 133

73.48 225

73.53

Complain with parents and friends 17

62.96 182

80.18 39

75.00

72.80 147

81.22 238

77.78

Complain with facilitators

48.15 165

72.69 32

61.54

72.00 120

66.30 210

68.63

Complain with employers

40.74 154

67.84 30

57.69

65.60 113

62.43 195

63.73

Keep quiet and Tolerate

3.70

6.17

5.77

8.00

4.42

5.88

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know

7.41

2.20

0.00

1.60

2.76

2.29

Others

3.70

0.88

1.92

1.60

1.10

1.31

Total

100.00 2 2 7 100.00 5 2

100.00 1 2 5 100.00 1 8 1 100.00 3 0 6 100.00

Chapter

four

Discussion of Key Findings

4.1 Child Domestic and Sexual Abuse 4.1.1 CDWs are vulnerable to sexual abuse The results of the study support the view that CDWs are vulnerable to child sexual abuse with more than half (55%) the children surveyed having been sexually abused. Over half the reported sexual abuse cases were contact-abuse cases, such as fondling, rape, kissing and anal sex. Some studies carried out earlier by other agencies highlighted that among school going children almost 45 per cent experienced child sexual abuse and 14 per cent among out-of-school children. And most of them experienced non-contact, however the number of contact forms of abuse is also quite significant. A further concern was the finding that almost 49 per cent CDWs who said they had experienced child abuse, did not report the abuse. Of those who did report the abuse, only 3.5 per cent told the police while others were ignored, scolded or not believed, compounding their suffering.

The survey reveals that CDWs have a relatively confined day-to-day life. This is illustrated by the findings about their living arrangements, work conditions and contact with families. This limits CDWs’ education, knowledge of child rights and sexual abuse as well as interaction with people such as their parents, teachers or protection agencies who may help them if they encounter a situation of sexual abuse. This situation is heightened when the employer has sole responsibility for the care of the child.

4.1.2 CDWs and Employers’ poor understanding of CSA A key finding of the study is that both employers and CDWs have a poor understanding of what CSA is. Only 55 per cent employers correctly identified both contact and noncontact forms of child sexual abuse. Only 2 per cent of CDWs identified non-contact forms of abuse as being CSA. CDWs may be experiencing non-contact forms of sexual abuse, but they do not recognize it as abuse. This has longer term implications for their physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing and development. A lack of proper understanding of CSA is also a key concern because adults or peers are not able to take action to stop the abuse and help the victims in their recovery. A lack of proper understanding of CSA is also shown in the views of both the employers and CDWs on the characteristics of an offender, a vulnerable child and the places where abuse is more likely to occur. Survey responses indicate that common misconceptions or myths such as ‘offenders show undesirable characteristics’, ‘offenders are alcoholics’, ‘only attractive girls are vulnerable to abuse’ and ‘abuse occurs mainly outside home’ are still entrenched in the Nepali society. This serves to increase the

vulnerability of children to sexual abuse and lessen their ability to receive assistance if they encounter a situation of abuse. A further illustration that CDWs have a poor understanding of CSA is that the majority do not see themselves at future risk of sexual abuse. Despite 55 per cent of CDWs reporting they had been abused, 72 per cent did not view themselves as vulnerable to future abuse. The survey indicates that a significant number of CDWs (22%) and employers (26%) believe that the child is somewhat at fault or to blame for his/her sexual abuse. This lack of understanding places children at serious risk of repeated sexual abuse. It is encouraging to find that the vast majority (96.77%) of employers feel that education on CSA must be provided to the children. This is a positive sign, which can facilitate and help in providing awareness on child sexual abuses, especially to the children employed by the participating employers.

4.1.3 Human Sexuality: Females are offenders and boys are victims While it is often thought that girls are the predominant victims of sexual abuse, the survey finds that a significant number of boys also experience sexual abuse (40.48%). This indicates a need to provide boys with the same education, intervention and support as the girls are. However, it indicates a broader need to increase our overall understanding of human sexuality and CSA. Further to this, the study also finds out that 17 per cent of offenders are females and that they are offenders of both boys and girls. This also goes against the common perception that males are the main perpetrators of child sexual abuse.

4.2 Rights Violations: A Serious Issue The study Closed-door Suffering identifies not only the high prevalence of CSA among CDWs, but also a corollary fact that there exists in high rate violation of human rights with impunity. In the area of child domestics, the implementation of the basic human rights as declared in Universal Declaration of Human Rights has not been made in international standards; rather they have been continuously violated. This is a serious concern. The practice of slavery in bonded situations, which is completely against the international mechanism, standard, principle and human rights treaties, is found still existing in the life of CDWs. Most children in this area are unpaid, work longer than 12 hours a day and on call service, confined within the four walls with very limited chance to see their parents and often vulnerable to becoming further victim of violence. Most children are recruited by some mediator, leaving the parents unaware of what condition and with what benefits their children are working in. Many times, the mediator takes the advantage of this situation. Trafficking in person means the recruitment, transportation, purchase, sale, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons:

100

by threat or use of violence, abduction, force, fraud, deception or coercion (including the abuse of authority) or debt bondage for the purpose of,

II)

placing or holding such persons whether for pay or not in forced or slavery like practices in a community other than the one in which such person lived at the time of the original act described in I. (UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women)

- Therefore In general these practices can be defined under the UN definition of Human Trafficking Practices. The context is completely against the United Nations’ Conventions on the Rights of Children (UNCRC) and its optional protocols. The four basic rights—right to life, right to development, right to participation and right to protection—have been ignored, and the principles of UNCRC, children’s survival and development, non discrimination, best interest of child and respect to their views are completely absent in the life of child domestics. There are a number of conventions: ILO Convention 138,182, and Recommendations 190 along with UNCRC and its Optional Protocol that do not allow children to be employed in hazardous and worst form of labor. Further, they have strictly not allowed children less than 14 to be employed. The Nepalese legal standards have also strictly followed the same provisions. In spite of all these, a significantly large percentage of children (83%) work in domestic sector below 14 and a significant percentage of them (9%) work below 10. Children’s right to live in care and protection within their own family has not been respected. Almost all child domestics stay in other families as second class citizens far away from their own family care, and with fewer chances, not even once a year, to revisit their family. Rights to development and participation are an irony for them. They are out of school with no chance of education, career development and with no leisure time for entertainment and development. They are always confined within the four walls of the employers’ home. They are released to attend a two hour non-formal education program, but still under their strict supervision. In this domestic trap, girls are made further victims of a gender biased perspective

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on household chores: the number of girls being significantly high as domestics. Besides, children from indigenous groups are found higher in number than those from other so-called high caste groups. These facts indicate both the principle of non-discrimination and right to protection from discrimination been violated. Right to protection of children keeping their best interest in mind has been ignored in this issue. Exploitation of child domestics in itself is an explicit example. It is a matter of serious concern that 55 per cent of child domestics are sexually abused. And out of 168 children suffering from sexual abuse, 100 are girls. Thirtyfour per cent of the children mentioned being abused even when they were on study. Figures exist as if to make simply an irony of UNCRC, ILO Conventions, CEDAW, Optional Protocols and other international standards to which Nepal is a signatory and of all the national laws of Nepal. Rights have to be protected by the State, respected by the people and followed by the community, but which is not found in Nepal. The legal system asks to report in case of abuse and violence against the children, the practice is that children and specially child labourers are so disabled in terms of social power system that they can rarely report anything happening against them either for lack of knowledge or for fear. The child special protection standards too have been developed, but which again are found ignored. On the other hand, a highly significant percentage (49%) of survivor children does not reveal their suffering for reasons of social stigma, the fear of offenders and the lack of knowledge. Among those who reported, none reported the police and only a few are supported properly. What is more, they are scolded and even punished saying that it is their fault, which is indicative of a continuity of the cycle of revictimization. CSA has not only violated childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right to protection, but it has also given them the offendersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

102

threats, social stigma and negative psychological and physical effects, which have all the more put them at risk of death, restricted or limited their socialization and education. Many children do get the thought of suicide, which is not simply an understandable or acceptable phenomenon. Considering the nature of these happenings, the primary concern here is how they are happening rather than their counts. Abuse, exploitation, sexual abuse of children in general and those of the child domestics is alarmingly going systematic, continuous, and the state mechanism has failed to protect the children. The obliged groups are violating childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rights. The issue here is serious Human Rights Violation and since, almost no case is filed through a due process of law, impunity is rampant. The situation has become a matter of serious public concern, because the forces work to foil the tie of social harmony, peace and stability based on the principles of equity, dignity and justice.

103

104

Chapter

five

Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion Employing children as domestic workers is a socially accepted child labour phenomenon in Nepal. Child Domestics occupy the highest number on worst form of child labor to be eliminated urgently as decided by the government of Nepal. However there are a number of issues associated with this: Â&#x2039;

The situation of CDWs is improving day by day, for instance the number of less than 10 years CDWs slowly decreasing. The practice of sending the children to school is increasing. The phenomenon of receiving salary is increasing and there is positive visible behavioural change compared to what was in the past.

105

106

Despite these improvements, the CDWs do still suffer closed-door a lot. The invisibility of the child domestics for a number of reasons, such as confinement within employers’ home, being scattered, not being properly addressed by legislation and societal acceptance has further deepened the intensity of suffering. Sexual abuse is one of the bitter experiences in the life of CDWs.

Most parents and people believe that domestic work is a safe and better working sector for children in comparison to other areas. But the reality is far opposite and it is quite clear that out of school child domestic workers are further bound to suffer. Lack of knowledge in identifying what is happening to them and how to protest against any kind of unwanted treatment has increased their vulnerability. The myth and misconception regarding CSA, such as that it would happen only to certain specific groups of children in terms of age, sex, caste, social status, and character, and that it would happen by some specific person have all the more hindered children from reporting what has happened to them. The prevalent stereotypic definition of discipline “obey and accept without question, whatever the adults do or ask you to do” and a kind of self-blaming attitude have made it easy for offenders to take advantage of CDWs’ situation.

On the other hand, a very few CDWs have access to their parents and it is also less frequently. Most CDWs are under the guardianship of their employers, especially the female household heads. So, the full responsibility of their protection lies in the employers themselves. Ironically, the knowledge of employers is found very low in terms of vulnerability, potential

offender, risk places, sign and symptoms of abused children, who to blame in abuse cases and how to report and protect children. This situation has further pushed suffering to go underreported and has given less chance to protect children from such kind of abusive treatment and behaviour. Also, it has increased the risk of the child domestics’ revictimization, and emotional and social detachment from their family..

Because of the facts of low knowledge about CSA and protective and preventive practices, the prevalence of sexual abuse of CDWs is significantly higher than that of other groups. The CDWs who have no opportunity to go to school are comparatively at higher risk of abuse, for the percentage for such category is 54 and for the school going, it is about 45 per cent. The bitter experiences of CDWs stand to prove that the existing societal misbelieves and misconceptions about CSA are completely wrong. The findings work to establish that boys too are victims of sexual abuse (54.40%); not only males, but females too (almost 10%) are offenders. And it confirms that majority offenders are older than the abused children (79.76 percent). The research further confirms that quite a high number of offenders are already known persons (32.14%) to the children and those who were unknown tried to be known through frequent meeting and knowing each other (26.19%), and offering friendship (19.05%). It also confirms that CSA happens through affection and inducement rather than through forceful means. It is interesting to note the different categories of offenders from the lowest to the highest in percentage: employers’ family (12%), those related to CDWs themselves (25%) and the employers’ relations,

107

neighbours and friends (29%). Besides, the study disproves the misconceptions surrounding the offender factor: that he/she is mostly poor, rural, uneducated and uncivilized. The findings show from the lowest to the highest in percentage that the offenders are rich (14.29%), educated (16.67%), civilized (19.64%), and urban dwellers (22.62%). Â&#x2039;

The study confirms that there is no societal appropriate support system; CSA is misconceived, for almost half the suffering respondents could not report against their suffering. Out of those who reported, only a half received support and protection, the other half was instead scolded, punished, ignored or was not believed.

The study concludes with confirmation that the children in the society especially those out of school and working suffer from a high degree of sexual abuse problems with; a very low level of understanding and knowledge on protection skills in parents, guardians and the victims themselves; and almost an absence of support mechanism at local level. This signifies the urgent need to launch intensive campaigns to: make the stakeholders aware; educate and empower the children especially those who are CDWs through a community-based mechanism and system of support for children at home, work place and the community.

5.2 Recommendations On the basis of the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s findings, and the suggestions and recommendations presented by the respondents during survey and focus group discussions, four major strategic areas are recommended. They are: The first is to ban employing children of small age into domestic work and ensuring that all children are at school even at the working sector.

108

The second is to empower children to understand the happenings against them and also to protest and seek support when in need. The third is to enable parents, guardians and employers of working children to protect them from the risk of abuses and to access them to support services. The fourth is to establish child-friendly and functioning child protection system at all levels (local, national, legal and policy levels). In all these strategic areas, the following specific recommendations are made and activities are suggested to implement so that the magnitude of the problem is reduceded and the protection of children is ensured:

Ban on Child Domestic Labour

Government of Nepal should revise its existing laws and policies so that it can address the specific informal sectors such as domestic work in practical ways.

Government of Nepal should make sure that at least its civil servants and defence as well as security personnel do not employ children as domestic workers, because in the study majority employers were from these groups.

Other civil society actors such as business community, I/N/GOs also need to develop and apply proper code of conduct among their members, so that they do not employ children as domestic workers.

All the parents, guardians and employers should be sensitized and made aware of the existing legal system and legal problems in case they employed the children as domestic workers.

109

There is need to do further research into the employers to identify the factors that made them employ smaller children.

All employers should be encouraged to employ adult and youth as domestic workers with appropriate salary and benefits. They should be explained the benefits of employing adults as domestic worker.

Good practices of employers, parents and guardians with their domestic workers should be promoted and disseminated.

In rural areas, local development programs should address the pushing factors of poverty, women’s illiteracy, domestic violence, social/armed conflict, quality education to prevent children from involving into worst form of child labor.

Empowerment of Children

110

Children’s participation and child-initiated and childrun campaigns against all kinds of violence and abuse against children need to be encouraged and promoted.

In all kinds of educational settings (formal, informal, non formal and vocational), a package of life skillsbased curricula that educate and empower children about such kinds of abuse, protection skills and support seeking skills need to be developed and applied.

In all education settings, sex education needs to be incorporated properly so that children and youth can get right information about sex and sexuality issues.

Children’s participation needs to be promoted at family, community, educational settings and other institutions.

A massive awareness and education campaign targeting out-of-school children needs to be launched

with properly developed and appropriate IEC/BCC materials.

Child clubs and youth clubs need to be promoted and sensitized at community and institutional levels so to access education to all children and to raise awareness, create pressure and link survivor children to support systems.

Enabling the Environment for Education to all Children

At community level there should be massive awareness raising and commitment campaigns among community people for not employing smaller age children into domestic work and also ensuring that all working children are sent to school for education.

In rural areas, there should be proper sensitization and awareness campaigns along with educational and other support programs to prevent children from entering into domestic work and also to start voluntary withdrawal campaigns from domestic work. There should be established functioning communitybased flexible education programs along with vocational skill education so that child domestic workers can access to education.

Sending CDWs to the NFE has been beneficial education, and proper use of free time in the afternoon. Participants’ view in FGD

Government schools at community level should run school enrolment campaigns to include invisible child workers like child domestic workers in their educational programs.

111

Employers of CDWs should be sensitized to send their child workers into educational systems and child clubs and ensure their basic rights.

Educating and Enabling Parents, Guardians, Employers and Other Stakeholders

112

All community people-parents, guardians and teachersshould be educated about CSA, vulnerability, potential offenders and the available support system along with skills on protecting children from such kinds of abuses.

There should be massive IEC/BCC campaigns targeting adults in the community through communitybased mechanisms to clarify them the myths and misunderstandings related to CSA, HIV & AIDS, sex and sexuality issues.

The community awareness programmes need to be infused with mainstreamed concepts of gender, peace and other relevant factors that might put children at risk of abuse.

There is a need to make further research into sociocultural practices and factors that put children at greater risk of abuse and violence and a need to take action accordingly.

Employers, guardians and parents need to be encouraged to report CSA cases if known and they need to be ensured that they are safe, their dignity, social identity and privacy is fully protected.

There need to be programmes to educate and sensitize local government leaders, social leaders and other stakeholders responsible for child protection about child abuse and child protection concepts so that they can initiate local action in child protection issues.

We have weak laws to punish the offenders. The offender can easily get away or escape punishments by simply paying some money, which is very is low or cheap and be free, often encouraging child sexual abuses again and again Participants’ View at FGD

Establishing Functional Child Protection System

There should be effective and friendly legal system including police, medico-legal and justice system in terms of making complaints, investigation and other processes of law to ensure justice for the victims/ survivors of child abuse/exploitation and violence against children and an end to a situation of impunity.

There need to be countable legal provisions and mechanisms that can work on non-contact forms of CSA as well.

To protect children from all kinds of violence and abuse there need to be child protection committees at school, and community levels with authorization and they should be affiliated to school management, local government, community police and service centres.

Services of psychosocial care and support, medicolegal treatment and other legal aid need to be free and easily accessible to children, for which NGOs can run hotline telephone, e-mail, SMS, and fax.

To make the care and support services mandatory accessible to the children, the local governments— DDC, Municipality and VDC—need to develop necessary provisions in their local health programmes and health centres.

To improve community-police relationship, police administration needs to organize community-based

113

programmes and promote social partnership through promotion of community police system.

Medical persons need to be trained in responding to child abuse cases, and development and application of clear guidelines based on international standards.

There need to be made further studies into other sectors of informal and formal out-of-school child labour to identify the magnitude and level of understanding of child sexual abuse.

A deep qualitative study is necessary in medical sector, legal sector and also at institutional and policy level to find out the existing gaps in child protection and recommend future actions.

There is a national need to establish Children’s Rights to Education, Protection and Health as fundamental rights with constitutional provision.

These are the some actions identified on the basis of the findings of the study, relevant experience of researchers and the recommendations suggested by respondents. There can be made a still longer list of actions. Whatever actions are suggested here, what needs to be clear is that a culture of protection needs to be promoted with respect to the children’s rights, best interest, recognizing their ideas and views in action and protecting their rights to survival and development.

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Bibliography Adhikari, Saroj R. (Chaitra 2061). Balbalika Ko Sikar. Nepal, 7, 13-17. Amgai, Thakur. (18 June 2004). Domestic Child Laborers Miserable Condition. Spotligh, 24. Baker, A. and Duncan, S. (1985). Child Sexual Abuse: A study of prevalence in Great Britain. Child Abuse and Neglect 9. Briere, John N (1992). Child Abuse Trauma: Theory and treatment of the lasting effects. Newbury Park: Sage Publication. Institute for Prevention of Child Abuse. Child Abuse Prevention. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dejong, A., A Hervada and G Emmett. (1983). Epidemiologic Variations in Childhood Sexual Abuse. Child Abuse in Neglect 7 Engel, Beverly (1991). Partners in Recovery: How Mates, Lovers, and Other Survivors Can Learn to Support and Cope with Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Los Angeles: Lowell House. Finkelhor, D. and A Browne. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization. American journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55, 530-541. Heidberg, Turid. (2001). Commodities in Stigma and Shame: An international overview of Save the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work against child sexual abuse and exploitation. Save the Children. Kids Intervention Prevention Program, Wide Bay Sexual Assault Association Inc. (23 March 2004). Myths and Facts about Child Sexual Abuse. Queensland, Australia. Family Violence Prevention Unit. (2005). National Clearinghouse on Family Violence Publication. Public Health Agency of Ottawa. Canada, 03-30

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Mullen, Paul E. and Jillian Fleming. (1998). Long-term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse. Issues in Child Abuse Prevention Number 9 Autumn. National Child protection Clearing House, Australian Institute of Family Studies. Russell, D.(1983). The incidence and prevalence of intrafamilial sexual abuse of female children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 7. Schechter M. and Roberge. (1976). Child Sexual Abuse. In R Helter and C. Kempe (eds.), Child Abuse and Neglect: The Family and the community. Cambridge. Tomison, Adam M. (1996). Child Maltreatment and Mental Disorder. National Clearing House Discussion Paper No. 3. Trivelpiece, James W. (1990). Adjusting the Frame: Cinematic Treatment of Sexual Abuse and Rape of Men and Boys. In Mic Hunter Ed. The Sexually Abused Male: Prevalence, Impact, and Treatment, Volume 1. MA: Lexington Books, 48-71. United Nations Commission on Human Rights, SubCommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. (May 2002). The relationship between child domestic servitude and the sexual exploitation of children. Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, 27th Session. Geneva, 27-31 Yudkin, Marcia. (May 1992). The Nightmare of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Survivors Speak Out. Cosmopolitan, 246249. Pearson, P. (1997). When she was bad: violent women and the myth of innocence. New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc. Hastings, A. S. (2000). From generation to generation: understanding sexual attraction to children. Washington: Wellness Institute. http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/projectaxis/myths.html

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Annexes

117

annex

one

Guidelines for facilitating / working with children

Making Rapport and building Trust

118

Conduct rapport building sessions each group through various exercises and games

Familiarization with facilitators and support persons

Make the objective clear and let children know on why we discuss with children and what benefits we and children gain from this discussion.

Clarify that the children are free to talk to the facilitator at any time convenient for them.

Inform children to respect each others views and opinions

The facilitator shall give equal attention to all the participants and encourage all the children to participate freely.

Talk and share enjoyable and different kinds of entertaining activities such as games, songs, dances, acting, and caricature, telling proverbs etc.

Take verbal agreement on following ethical / protocol guidelines and inform children that these protocol be applied for both facilitators and participating children.

All of us, all participants and the facilitators will keep each others privacy and trust

No participants shall mention anybody’s name , anywhere , after sharing the experiences or who said what (no mention of specific name and what someone said during the discussion / consultation )

We assure that all the information gathered from this discussion will be used only for the stated purpose of the consultation

The guiding principles for the discussion / consultation with children

Non – discrimination

Best interest of the child

The child’s right to life, survival , development , participation and protection

Respect for the views of the child

Besides, facilitators need to follow the following protocols while facilitating the children:

Ensure the maintenance of anonymity and confidentiality

Provide times for fun activities

Give everyone opportunity to talk turn by turn

Try talk less and listen more to the children

119

120

Do not interfere while children are talking

Do not use ambiguous language

Use simple language and give further clarification as much as possible

Avoid giving judgments about right or wrong

Maintain neutrality while talking and facilitating

Maintain good eye – contact with all participants

Do not force anybody to speak or to participate in the session and fill the questionnaire

Use WH probing questions with no stress giving to children

Do not raise any expectations

Do not pressure children to give information while they are not ready

Make sure to prevent children form being further victimized

Respect children’s views and believe what children are saying

Respond children’s questions.

annex

two

Checklist for Focus Group Discusion

Issues discussed in the focus groups included:

different forms of sexual abuse- contact, non contact;

prevalence of child sexual abuse among boys and girls;

reasons for abuse;

reasons for employing children of different sexes for various purposes;

vulnerability of CDWs to sexual abuse;

possible identity of child Offenders;

whether children are responsible for sexual abuse;

whether children should be given knowledge about child sexual abuse; and

how child sexual abuse can be stopped.

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annex

three Questionnaires

A. Survey Questionnaire for Employers of CDWs All questions asked will remain anonymous 1.

Your —

Age……………. Occupation……….. Sex…………….

Number of family members a. male…….

b. female………

Number of child domestic workers a. Female………….

b. Male……………..

4. What are the usual jobs of child domestic worker at your home?

122

a. washing clothes

b. cleaning the house

c. cooking

d. washing utensils

e. baby sitting

f. grocery shopping

g. all the above

h . If others please mention……

i. Do not know 5.

What kind of reward would you prefer for your child domestic worker? a. giving cash b. verbal appreciation c. giving clothes d. giving delicacies e. involving him in an outdoor entertainment f. nothing g. if others please mention...... Who provides or buys necessities like tooth brush, soap, clothes, shoes, etc for your child domestic worker (CDWs)? ……………………………….................……………. ……………………………….................……………. Who is the closest person at your home having regular contact with your CDWs and why? ……………………………….................……………. ……………………………….................……………. Which sex of CDWs would you prefer to have at home? a. female CDWs b. male CDWs Which caste would you prefer? a. Brahmin/ Chettri b. Newar d. Dalit g. any caste

c. Janajati. h. others .....

10.

What age group of CDWs would you prefer? a. below 10 Yrs. b. 10-14Yrs. c. 14-16 Yrs. d. 16-18 Yrs. e. above 18 Yrs. f. of any age group

11.

Do you take the help of any of these persons to recruit a CDW? a. friends b. close relatives c. neighbours d. self e. through middle persons f. if others please mention ..............

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12.

13.

14. 15. 16.

What other daily chores or jobs do you expect from your CDW besides his regular work? ……………………………….................……………. What difference does it make if you do not have a domestic helper at home? ……………………………….................……………. Have you ever heard or witnessed child abuse? a. Yes b. No If yes what do you understand by child abuse? ……………………………….................……………. What is child sexual abuse? a. verbal abuse b. eve teasing c. showing pornographic magazines and movies d. fondling or touching genitals e. physical intercourse f. rape g. exhibiting the genitals h. activities with sexual overton i. Fondling, kissing j. oral sex and masturbation k. All of the above mentioned l. others (please mention) …………………………… m. Don’t Know

17.

Who are vulnerable to child sexual abuse? a. girls b. boys c. both d. Don’t Know

18.

Which of the following categories of children are likely to be sexually abused? a. Domestic child worker b. street children c. Illiterate children d. educated children e. mentally ill or retarded f. children of poor families g. children of rich families h. children of sex workers i. Urban Children j. children living in the villages k. orphans l. disable children m. children working in hotels and restaurants n. any children o. if others please mention…………..

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19.

p. Don’t Know What types of children are vulnerable to sexual abuse? a. innocent children b. neat and tidy c. attractive children d. mischievous children e. children wearing short and revealing clothes f. mentally ill and retarded g. any children h. if others please mention…………………………. i. Don’t Know

20.

Which of the following age group of children are vulnerable to sexual abuse? a. 0-5 Yrs. b. 5-10 Yrs. c. 10-15 Yrs. d.15-18 Yrs. e. children of any age group f. Don’t Know

21.

Who are the Offenders of CDW? a. male b. female c. both d. Don’t Know

22.

Which of the following category can sexually abuse children? a. mentally ill or retarded b. people with offensive behaviors c. drug addicts and alcoholics d. family members e people appearing decent f. strangers g. friends or peers h. relatives i. neighbors j. people who had been abused earlier k. teachers, tutors l. hostel in charge m. Baby sitters or nanny n. drivers and conductors o. Domestic Workers

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p. commoner q. if others please mention ............................... r. Don’t Know 23.

What are the likely places to be abused? a. deserted or lonely places b. dark/shady places c. bedrooms d. schools and hostels e. at home for e.g.: Kitchen laundry room washing places terrace toilets f. out door for e.g.: bus, crowded places, playgrounds factories compounds theatres mass/gathering places g. anywhere h. if others please mention .................. i. Don’t Know

24.

Which types of societies have greater number of incidences of child sexual abuses? a. Poor family b. illiterate families c. affluent family d. middle class family e. working class families f. Urban Poor people g. families living in the cities h. families living in the villages i. educated families i. All the above k. if others please mention l. Don’t Know

25.

Who is responsible for child sexual abuse? a. children themselves b. Offenders c. both d. if others please mention e. Don’t Know

26.

Why do people commit Child sexual abuse? a. children are weak and naïve b. children are taken for granted c. children cannot say no d. children are attractive e. for enjoyment and entertainment f. children’s opinions are not counted

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g. it is easy to entice children h. children can be easily intimidated i. adults are unable to maintain sexual relationship with their own age groups j. children are unreliable or they make up stories k. if others please mention l. Don’t Know 27.

How do perpetrators commit Child sexual abuse? a. By forcing children to keep it a secret b. By enticing the children c. By threatening children d. Bribing children e. If others please mention f. Don’t Know

28.

How many times a person commit child sexual abuse to a single child? a. One time b. many times c. Don’t Know

29.

Child sexual abuse is committed….. a. person commits only once b. a person commits several times c. group of people commit at a time d. many people do many times e. if others please mention f. Don’t Know

30. don’t children reveal or express about sexual abuse? Why a. Talking about sexual abuse is shameful b. It will bring dishonour and humiliation to the family c. they fear that nobody will ever believe them d. children don’t want to let anyone know about the abuse as it might raise a question about their own character

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e. children themselves are involved in the act and they are also responsible f. fear of punishment g. they are threatened or intimidated by the Offenders h. children are told to keep it a secret i. children want to forget about the incidence j. children do not have any knowledge and they are not aware of what is happening k. if others please mention……………………… 31.

Why do children sometimes talk about sexual abuse? a. They feel relieved to share their experiences of sexual abuse with someone they trust b. they have experienced themselves c. they have seen or heard about sexual abuse d. they relate to the stories they have watched in the movies and they lie e. they are thrilled and enjoy making up stories of sexual abuse f. all of the above g. if others please mention ..................... h. Don’t Know

32.

Symptoms of sexual abuse in children are…. a. wounds or bruises on the body b. becoming pregnant c. difficulty in walking d. Becoming aloof e. unable to socialize and failure in maintaining relations f. Suffer from sexually transmitted diseases g. Loss of appetite, sleeplessness, worrying, etc. h. Unusual sexual behaviour i. Extreme fear j. Attempt suicide or consider committing suicide k. Bed wetting l. Loss of self esteem and self hatred

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m. Excessive weight gain or unusual weight loss n. All of the above o. If others please mention p. Don’t Know 33.

In your opinion whose support an abused child must seek? a. family member or relatives b. friends c. teachers, NFE facilitators d. employers e. no one f. neighbours g. NGOs h. police i. if others please mention j. Don’t Know

34.

What would you do if you come across incidents on sexual abuses on children in your contact? … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 35. Do you think children should be made aware or taught about sexual abuse? a. yes b. no if yes why ………………………………………………………………………………. if no why not……………………………………………….. 36.

Can you suggest ways to help children facing sexual abuses? Please specify. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 37. If you have any suggestions regarding protecting children from sexual abuse please mention . … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … Thank you for your suggestions and support. !

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B. Knowledge of Child Sexual Abuse among Child Domestic Workers

1. Your — age……Sex………..Casteethnicity………………. 2.

With whom do you live? a. your own family member c. friends

b. relative d. employer

Is your family aware of where you stay? a. yes b. no

if yes are you in contact with your family members? a. yes b. no

if yes how often do you meet them? a. dashain b. tihar c. chhath d. Iid e. other festive occasions f. winter g. rainy season h. not sure

When did you last meet your family members? a. 0-3 months b. 4-6 months c. 7-12 months d. 1 year back/before a year

at what time do you wake up and go off to bed in the evening? Morning- a. before 5 b. 5-6 c. after 6 Evening- a. before 8 b. 8-9 c. 9-10 d. after 10

what are your daily chores from early morning till you go off to bed? … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

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How did you become a child domestic worker? a. it was your own decision b. parent’s decision c. by seeing others doing the job d. forced by others d. if others please mention……………………………

10.

do you think your employer will be able to manage all the household jobs without you? a. yes b. no

11.

Which of the following issues are taken into consideration while recruiting a domestic worker? a. age b. sex c. caste d. cleanliness e. domestic worker’s(DW) financial condition f. DW’s skill/potential to work g. DW’s place of origin h. DW’s demand for facilities/salary i. if others please mention……… j. Don’t Know

12.

Do you know about child rights? a. yes b. no

13. if yes what do you mean by child right? … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … 14.

Are you familiar with the term child sexual abuse? a. yes b. no

15.

What do you understand by child sexual abuse? Contact/non-contact? (Pictorial) a. eve teasing with sexual overtone in the streets/chasing b. vulgar/offensive behavior

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c. verbal abuse (by telephone, directly, written) d. exposure to pornographic magazines/movies e. Fondle or touch your private body parts f. show your private parts/ forced to see the private parts of others g. forced to touch others private body parts h. masturbate others/oral sex i. sexual intercourse j. rape k. all the above l. if others please mention m. Don’t Know 16. Who is vulnerable to Child sexual abuse? (Pictorial) a. boy b. girl c. both d. Don’t Know 17.

Which category of children are vulnerable to child sexual abuse? (Pictorial) a. Domestic child worker b. street children c. Illiterate children d. educated children e. children of poor families f. children of rich families g. children living in the cities h. children living in the villages i. disable children j. orphans k. children working in hotels and restaurants l. children of sex workers m. any children n. if others please mention o. Don’t Know 18.

What types of children are vulnerable to sexual abuse? (Pictorial) a. innocent children b. children wearing neat clothes c. attractive children d. mischievous children e. children wearing short and revealing clothes f. mentally ill and retarded g. any children h. if others please mention i. Don’t Know

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19.

Which of the following age group of children are vulnerable to sexual abuse? a. 0-5 b. 5-10 c. 10-15 d.15-18 e. children of any age group f. Don’t Know 20.

Which of the following category of persons can sexually abuse children? (Pictorial) a. mentally ill or retarded b. people with offensive behaviours c. drug addicts and alcoholics d. family members e. relatives f. friends or peers h. neighbours i. strangers j. domestic servants k. people who had been abused earlier l. any one 21. What are the likely places to be abused? (Pictorial) a. deserted or lonely places b. dark/shady places c. bedrooms d. schools and hostels e. at home for e.g. kitchen laundry roomwashing places terrace toilets f. out door for e.g. bus crowded places taps/ place of fetching water playgrounds factories theatres mass/gathering places g. anywhere h. if others please mention i. Don’t Know 22.

What types of communities have greater number of incidences of child sexual abuses? (Pictorial) a. poor family b. middle class family c. affluent family d. urban families e. rural families f. Urban Poor g. illiterate families h. educated families i. working class families k. All of above l. if others please mention m. Don’t Know 23. Who could be held responsible for child sexual abuse? a. children themselves b. Offenders c. both d. Don’t Know e. if others please mention

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24. Why do people commit Child sexual abuse? a. children are weak and naĂŻve b. children are taken for granted c. children cannot say no d. children are attractive g. for enjoyment and entertainment h. childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinions are not counted i. it is easy to entice children k. children can be easily intimidated l. adults are unable to maintain sexual relationship with their own age groups m. children are unreliable or they make up stories n. if others please mention o. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know

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C. Prevalence Study of Child Sexual Abuse among Child Domestic Workers 1.

Your

age…Sex…….Caste/ethnicity………………

2. Have you ever experienced the following situations? (Pictorial) a. verbally abuse b. Have been through eve teasing with sexual overture in the streets c. Exposed to pornographic magazines d. Exposed to pornographic movies e. Made to witness elders having sex f. Made to hear sounds during sexual activities of elders g. Made to produce naked photographs of self h. Made to witness genitals of others i. Made to become naked to sexual purpose j. Made to show your private parts k. Fondled or touched your private parts l. Touching your body parts without your will m. Pinched your cheeks or fondled your body parts against your will n. Rub your cheeks by the beard against your will o. kissing p. Made to touch or fondle others private parts of the body q. Grab the private parts of your body r. Made to masturbate others s. Made to involve in oral sex t. Made to involve in anal sex u. Involved in sexual intercourse v. Raped by others w. None of the above x. if others please mention……………………………

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When was the first time you experienced the situation mentioned above? a. recently b. a month before c. 2-5 months before d. 6-12 months before e. long time back f. cannot recall 4. Do you still experienced such situations recently? a. yes b. no 5.

Which one of the following do you still experience? (Pictorial) a. verbally abuse b. Have been through eve teasing with sexual overture in the streets c. Exposed to pornographic magazines d. Exposed to pornographic movies e. Made to witness elders having sex f. Made to hear sounds during sexual activities of elders g. Made to produce naked photographs of self h. Made to witness genitals of others i. Made to become naked j. Made to show your private parts k.Fondled or touched your private parts l. Touching your body parts without your will m. Pinched your cheeks or fondled your body parts against your will n. Rub your cheeks by the beard against your will o. kissing p. Made to touch or fondle others private parts of the body q. Rab the private parts of your body r. Made to masturbate others s. Made to involve in oral sex t. Made to involve in anal sex u. Involved in sexual intercourse v. Raped by others

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w. None of the above x. if others please mention ………………………………………………………… 6. a. b.

how many people were involved in the abuse? (Pictorial) one person b. two persons c. 3-4 people 5-6 people d. more than 6 people e. others

7. who were the people/person involved in such activities? (Pictorial) a. male b. female c. both d. Gay 8. was the Offender elder or younger than you were? a. younger b. similar age c. older d. Don’t Know 9. what was the age of that person or people approximately? a. Below 18 yrs. b. 19-30 yrs. c. 31-45 yrs. d. 45-60 yrs. e. above 60 yrs. 10. did you know that person/people before? a. Yes b. no c. both 11. how did that person/people appear outwardly? (Pictorial) a. mentally ill or retarded b. people with offensive behaviors c. drug addicts and alcoholics d. people who had been abused earlier e. poor f. middle class g. rich h. decent i. workers j. refugee k. urban l. villager m. educated n. illiterate o. others please mention 12. who was that person/people? (Pictorial) a. family members b. employer c. employer’s wife d. employer’s son/daughter e. employer’s relatives f. employer’s g. neighbors h. shop owner i. domestic Workers j. friends/peers k. teachers, tutors l. relatives m. villager n. others…

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13. where did you experience or still experiencing such situation? (Pictorial) a. deserted or lonely places b. dark/shady places c. bedrooms d. schools and hostels e. at home for e.g. kitchen laundry room washing places terrace toilets living rooms f. out door for e.g.bus crowded places water sources/taps playgrounds shops play grounds compounds factories theatres mass/gathering places g. if others please mention……………………………………….. 14. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i.

how did the person first approach you? (Pictorial) had known the person for long or familiar with threatened or intimidated encouraged to get involved in such activities by enticing or bribing taking advantage of his/her position forced to obey the person on account of her/her age using physical force- hitting on the pretext of becoming friends if others please mention

15. how did you feel after the incidence? (Pictorial) a. hurt b. Frightened c. Angry d. Hated yourself e. Felt like committing suicide f. Enjoyed g. If others please mention 16.

did you tell anyone about what had happened ? a. yes b. no

17. if yes whom did you confide to? (Pictorial) a. friends b. teachers c. parents d. family members e. employer’s wife/husband f. neighbors g. family members of the employer

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h. police j. organizations/ institutions k. if others please mention 18.

What was the reaction of the person to whom you had revealed the incidence? a. ignored you b. did not believe you c. you were told to forget about the incidence d. scolded you e. you were punished f. told he/she would help you g. Told about the incidence to your family members h. Suggested ways to protect or prevent yourself from any such future incidences i. reported to the police j. reported to organizations/institutions k. if others please mention 19 if you did not tell about the incidence to anyone why not ? a. you were told to keep it a secret b. you wanted to forget about the incidence c. you were afraid of losing respect d. afraid of humiliation in the society e. afraid of humiliation of your family f. afraid of isolation or scared of being abandoned by your family members g. afraid that no one will believe you h. threatened and scared of the person who had committed abuse against you i. afraid of punishment j. fear of being laid off from the job k. if others please mention 20.

if the person who had abused you had threatened you what did he say or do? a. threatened you not to become friends if you ever reveal b. that you will loose respect or face humiliation c. buying foods/sweets d. giving you cash e. getting clothes or goods for you f. threatened to hit or kill you

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g. that he will accuse you of being a thief and sending you to prison h. if others please mention 21.

do you think you are vulnerable to any such abuse in future? a. yes b. no 22. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

what would you do if you come across any such abuse in future? (Pictorial) scream/shout use physical force to protect yourself run away will tell friends/parents about the abuse tell the teachers tell the employer keep it to yourself do not know

23. Please suggest ways to prevent or protect children from child sexual abuse. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

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annex

four Findings Table Details

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