Adolescents are constantly being made aware of sexual and physical abuse. However, only a few are brave enough to speak out about the effects they experience. Many people do not go out of their way to hurt themselves.
In this case, a study was conducted regarding physical and sexual harassment of female students studying in a government high school in Chennai. This study has been carried out by Jayashree, Chitra and Sudarsani from the Department of Social Medicine, Chennai Medical College. The study was published in the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research by the Tamil Nadu Department of Public Health and Disease Prevention.
Accordingly, this study was conducted on a total of 300 female students in a government school in Chennai. Girls between the ages of 13 and 16 were chosen for this study. Out of which 200 girls are 13 and 14 years old. 100 female students are 15 and 16 years old. 94 percent of them live with their parents. In 78 percent families, only mother, mother and child live.
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The survey revealed that 86 percent of the female students are aware of physical harassment and 93 percent are aware of sexual harassment.
In particular, most of the students know the information related to helpline number for women, helpline number for children, where to report in case of harassment.
Of the 300 female students who participated in the study, 39 reported that they had been subjected to physical and sexual harassment. Of these, 13 percent experienced two types of harassment. According to this, 9.66 percent of people have been subjected to physical harassment and 5.66% to sexual harassment. 2.33 percent of female students are subjected to both types of harassment.
Most of the female students have been subjected to physical harassment including slapping, kicking and pushing. 7 percent of girl students have been subjected to harassment such as being locked in a room. Most of the girl students are physically abused by their brothers. These students have reported that they have been sexually harassed by their father, siblings and relatives.
When asked about this, Professor Chitra, Department of Social Medicine, Chennai Medical College, who carried out this study, said, “There is a high level of awareness about sexual and physical harassment among children. But among the victims of harassment, only few female students are brave enough to come forward. Especially, reporting to women and children’s help centers is very less. has
Most people have told this to their parents and friends. Many people don’t complain because of the thought of what will happen if they say it out there and there will be some problem. To correct this, girls should be counseled regularly. District Committees should provide appropriate counseling through the Security Unit.
That too should provide such counseling at regular intervals. Counseling should be provided regularly in all schools in Chennai. Parents should also be involved. Only if they do this will they have the courage to come forward to complain,” he said.
