Illustrative photo (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA)- In contrast to popular opinion that women and girls can protect themselves byavoiding strangers or unsafe places frequented by criminals, statistics showthat 73 percent of assaults on women are committed by acquaintances, and 10 percentare fathers or stepfathers of victims.
The information wasdeclared in the third national symposium on Sexuality, Health and Society withthe theme “Cultural and Institutional Barriers to Addressing Sexual Violence inVietnam” which was launched in Hanoi on November 29.
The two-day symposiumattracted nearly 300 participants including legal experts, researchers,programme managers, justice officials, social activists and educators.
Research shows that suchcriminals are often people considered trustworthy in society such as theelderly, celebrities, teachers and even members of the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, incidentsof sexual violence often occur at places which are considered safe such asschools, offices or even the houses of the victims.
Speaking at thesymposium, Khuat Thu Hong, director of the Institute for Social DevelopmentStudies (ISDS), said, “Sexual violence is a serious crime against women andchildren, violating the most basic right of humans which is to live safely andwith dignity.”
Sexual violence leads toserious consequences for the physical, mental and financial health of thevictims. Many victims and their families must strive to earn a living as theyhad to change accommodation to avoid discrimination. Sexual abuse even led tosome victims committing suicide, she said.
Astrid Bant, UnitedNations Population Fund Representative in Vietnam, said, “Part of the problemis that men think they have a ‘right’ to control women’s bodies and sexuality.”
“Sexual violence againstwomen and girls is not a disease for which we need to find a cure. It stemsfrom the way that men and boys look at and value our women and girls,” shesaid.
During the symposium,representatives discussed victims and sites of sexual violence, sexualeducation in school, sexual violence and HIV prevention.
Research by the ISDSshowed that out of 322 sexual violence cases reported in newspapers during2011-16, more than 20 percent of victims were aged below 10, and some were asyoung as 2. As many as 60 percent of victims were aged between 11 and 25. About13 percent of the cases related to instances of gang rape.
More than 1,000 childrenare sexually abused per year, equal to about three per day, and the actualnumber is likely to be much higher, according to the Ministry of Labour,Invalids and Social Affairs.-VNA
The information wasdeclared in the third national symposium on Sexuality, Health and Society withthe theme “Cultural and Institutional Barriers to Addressing Sexual Violence inVietnam” which was launched in Hanoi on November 29.
The two-day symposiumattracted nearly 300 participants including legal experts, researchers,programme managers, justice officials, social activists and educators.
Research shows that suchcriminals are often people considered trustworthy in society such as theelderly, celebrities, teachers and even members of the criminal justice system.
Furthermore, incidentsof sexual violence often occur at places which are considered safe such asschools, offices or even the houses of the victims.
Speaking at thesymposium, Khuat Thu Hong, director of the Institute for Social DevelopmentStudies (ISDS), said, “Sexual violence is a serious crime against women andchildren, violating the most basic right of humans which is to live safely andwith dignity.”
Sexual violence leads toserious consequences for the physical, mental and financial health of thevictims. Many victims and their families must strive to earn a living as theyhad to change accommodation to avoid discrimination. Sexual abuse even led tosome victims committing suicide, she said.
Astrid Bant, UnitedNations Population Fund Representative in Vietnam, said, “Part of the problemis that men think they have a ‘right’ to control women’s bodies and sexuality.”
“Sexual violence againstwomen and girls is not a disease for which we need to find a cure. It stemsfrom the way that men and boys look at and value our women and girls,” shesaid.
During the symposium,representatives discussed victims and sites of sexual violence, sexualeducation in school, sexual violence and HIV prevention.
Research by the ISDSshowed that out of 322 sexual violence cases reported in newspapers during2011-16, more than 20 percent of victims were aged below 10, and some were asyoung as 2. As many as 60 percent of victims were aged between 11 and 25. About13 percent of the cases related to instances of gang rape.
More than 1,000 childrenare sexually abused per year, equal to about three per day, and the actualnumber is likely to be much higher, according to the Ministry of Labour,Invalids and Social Affairs.-VNA
VNA
