In Malaysia,There is a whopping number of 37, 263 rape cases, involving girls as young as six, reported from 2000 until 2015. This which means there is an average of eight rape cases reported daily in the country, statistics based on a Parliamentary reply to Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto last year. The shocking statistics showed more than half of the total rape cases were committed against minors between the ages of 13 and 15, with up to 16, 265 victims and followed closely behind by 10, 289 victims over the age of 18. Out of the 37,263 cases, 2,854 victims were sodomized while 4,739 were incest-rape cases. Rape is often debated in the Parliament, with various quarters calling for the government to amend the existing rape laws. Although there so many ways to reduce but there are still cases on sexual abuses. Even parents have important role in protect their own child, still there are some parents are abusing their own child. In this case I would like to find the appropriate way to stop sexual abuse.
I'd like to echo Ben's comments: Sexual abuse is a complex problem that all societies are struggling with to greater or lesser extents. Because there are multiple factors, multiple solutions will be needed. Public awareness and education, school-based prevention programs, bystander interventions, law enforcement, shifts in policy.
The only thing I'd add is that (young) men must be part of the solution, addressing culturally-shaped attitudes aboutt women, sex and consent, in challenging their peers if they see something worrisome, and in supporting the women around them.
I agree with both Ben and Michael on this. Not only would cultural norms have to be reshaped (through education, laws etc.) in such a way that they no longer contribute to the statistics you report, cultural norms would likely would need to be reshaped in to counteracting more 'biological' or 'immediate' effects. There seems to be a bit of disagreement on the long-term effects of punishment, but most all researchers agree that preventive measures can be effective. Preventive measures also seem to be much more cost-effective. As Michael says, high-risk populations could be the target of more specific preventive measures.
Because I am interested in the cross-cultural differences that relate to the phenomenon of sexual abuse, I would also like to ask you, Durga, if you think there are some cultural (or sub-cultural) aspects in Malaysia that may contribute to the problem you are describing?
HI Mr.Jan. Thank you for the answer. I would like to know what mean by the cultural aspects? Because in Malaysia’s culture itself would not be the cause for sexual abuse. However, culture that in some ways supports condones or ignores sexually violent messages and/or behavior would be the causes.
I agree with all who have commented earlier on the topic of sexual abuse, especially among minors on the need to put in measure that reduce the vulnerability of women and girls. One thing I am most convinced as the leading cause of all forms of violence against women and girls is inequitable gender attitudes and norms. By this I am referring to all thoughts, behaviours and expectations placed on gender and it's associated roles, patriarchy and poorly defined masculinities (may or may not have religious or cultural undertones).
I also strongly believe that the imposition of strict punishments in itself without addressing the underlying causes will bring very little profit. I think its about time that researchers identified the social norms, individual norms as well as basic community/family level systems that fuel the abuse in your country and come up with some consensus on change mechanisms. Various interventions are out there with others being evaluated in different countries. Whatever the "national" decision whether through pressure from gender activists, social scientists, legal framework, a massive political will is needed to execute strategies that transform norms and behaviour.
But in the meantime, while all stakeholder groups are being engaged, various institutions/stakeholder groups must put in measures to provide support for victims because there is strong scientific evidence that people who experience childhood abuse are more likely to perpetrate violence and/or suffer violence in adulthood.
I believe that activism and advocacy to prevent violence against women and girls strongly impacted the situation in Ghana you (Durga) can start it in you country. It may seem slow, but it works. This is not to say that Ghana is free from sexual abuse cases, but there is currently an ongoing public discourse on the subject.
Thank you
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