Boys more susceptible to abuse than girls: Study

A survey has found that 30% boys as against 6% girls have undergone sexual abuse As many as 90% boys face emotional abuse while 83% face physical abuse The survey was conducted among 6,682 students from class VIII to X in the city schools of Thrissur.

Men are always considered safe, at least in Indian society, and when it comes to sexual abuse, the focus is always on girls and women. It may come as a surprise to many that boys, especially school going ones are more susceptible to sexual abuse according to a study conducted in Kerala. 

The researchers, a group of doctors, were surprised to find that 30% boys as against 6% girls have undergone sexual abuse in Thrissur district alone. Boys were also more susceptible to emotional and physical abuse. As many as 90% boys face emotional abuse while 83% face physical abuse. 

The research was carried out by Dr Manoj Therayil Kumar of the Institute of Mind and Brain (Inmind Hospital), Sebind Kumar of Government Medical College, Thrissur and Dr Surendra P Singh and Dr Nilamadhab Kar of the Black Country Partnership NHS Trust, University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom

The study titled ‘Prevalence of child abuse in the school environment in Kerala’ will be published in the August edition of international journal ‘Child Abuse and Neglect.’ 

The doctors sampled 6,682 students from class VIII to X in the city schools of Thrissur. A survey was conducted using the questionnaire developed by the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN).

The survey was actually about various kinds of abuses faced by students, and this included bullying and even soft abuses like negative remarks which people often neglect. "We considered all kinds of abuses and not only sexual assault. I know several adults who still bear the brunt of bullying, negative remarks, etc. which are often considered soft abuses." Dr Sebind Kumar said. 

Prior to the study the researchers gave training to the teachers and established a support system and referral pathways to help students facing abuse. "The issue here is that there is no support system. Even if a child abuse case is taken up and the victim is rescued, our system does not have the facility to provide further support to that kid," Kumar said.

The study found that boys are more prone to abusive experiences while girls are susceptible to emotional abuse. The study also suggests how to address the issue. 

This is the first scientific study carried out in Kerala on abuse faced by students. The research suggests that elders, especially teachers and parents, should be trained so that they will able to help students whenever they are facing emotional problems. 

Here is a video explaining the details of the study