Child Sexual Abuse in Russia and the United Arab Emirates - Research Paper Example

A comparative study of child sexual abuse in Russia and United Arab Emirates Abstract Sexual abuse of children is one form of child abuse. This a form of child abuse where an adult or an older individual uses a child to sexually stimulate him/her. Sexual abuse of children can result in many side effects such as depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, physical injury to the child, and propensity to further victimization in adulthood. No study has established compiled a report on prevalence and causes of sexual abuse of children in Russia and UAE and measures that can help to curb the menace. Thus this study aimed at addressing these issues. From the findings the two countries have recorded an increase in child abuse. The causes differ in the two countries. whereas in Russia unstable families is the main cause in UAE the main cause is the prevailing customs that makes it difficult for people to talk about the issue. Even though Russia has tried to implement laws to curb the menace, the laws are still defective and need some strengthening. In the case of UAE, there are no legal frameworks and the country needs to come up with laws to curb the menace in addition to demystifying the issue among its population. Findings Research questions Question 1: What is the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Russia and United Arab Emirates? Of the many forms of child abuse, child sexual abuse is one of them. Cases of child sexual abuse have been on the rise in the world in recent past. It has been termed to be a silent epidemic for instance in United States and the world at large. To better understand f the problem child sexual abuse in UAE and Russia this project sought to find out the prevalence of child sexual abuse in the two countries. Question 2: What are key causes of child sexual abuse in Russia and United Arab Emirates? Having established the prevalence of the problem, the study sought to find out key causes of this ethical problem in the two countries. Economic and social factors may influence the rise or decline of child abuse in a country. It is on this basis that this study sought to find out the main factors that drive child sexual abuse in UAE and Russia. Question 3: What measures is the government of Russia and United Arab Emirates undertaking to stem the problem of child sexual abuse? Having established the key causes of the problem of child sexual abuse in UAE and Russia, the study sought to establish what each of the two countries were doing to curb the menace of child sexual abuse. One of the mechanisms that have been proposed to be effective in stopping child sexual abuse is education of both the parents and the children (Cesar, 2007). Then main role of the government in prevention of child sexual abuse in institutionalization of better legislations aimed at preventing and punishing individuals involved in child sexual abuse (Claire, & Ian O'Donnel, 2007). This study sought to find out what legislations are in place that protects the children from sexual abuse predators and education offered to the children to help in curbing the problem in both UAE and Russia. Research methodology This study used documentary secondary data to answer the research questions. Documentary data which was used included written materials, journal articles, books and other records relevant to this research (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). By using secondary data, enormous resources were saved. The method used because it was less expensive than to collect the data personally and it helped in contextualization of the findings within a more general context. Results Prevalence of child sexual abuse in UAE Studies have indicated that at least 40% of boys and one in three girls aged 15 and 16 years are physically or psychologically abused. According to Dubai Police, 33 minors were sexually assaulted in 2010. However, this might not be the true prevalence of the problem in UAE. This is because there is a high likelihood that the prevalence is much higher because for every case that hits headlines, there are many that go unreported (Claire, & Ian O'Donnel, 2007). In 2007, the International Women's Cultural Forum in the UAE registered 21 cases of sexual attacks. Most victims were girls under the age of 14 and many of the acts took place on school buses. More recently, in the first half of 2010 to be precise, the Dubai Foundation of Women and Children (DFWC) dealt with 65 cases of sexual abuse. Twelve victims were children, mostly girls. According to Dubai Police, 33 minors were sexually assaulted in 2010. This is an indication that the vice is on increase in the country. The country lacks reliable statistics on the prevalence of child abuse. Studies indicate that 40% of children in UAE are sexually abused by close relatives, 50% by trusted adult and while the rest constitute those abused by strangers (Susan, 1981). Research also shows that one in every three abused children in UAE keep their experience a secret and never reveal the incident to anyone. This is mainly because the issue is seen as a taboo and no one talks about it (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Prevalence of child sexual abuse in Russia According to UNICEF Russia, over 9,500 sex crimes were reported in the year 2010 which was a double increase from what was reported in 2009. The report notes that the children are the most affected and that data on such issues is hard to find. This implies that the problem might be higher than the reported numbers (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). It is noted that in Russia only 4% of sexually abused children are actually abused by strangers with a large majority being abused by people they know. According to internet Watch Foundation Russia and USA are leading suppliers of child pornography in the world (Cesar, 2007). According to experts almost a quarter of the pornography on global internet sites contains child pornography of which 50% include child pornography from Russia. Causes of child sexual abuse in UAE Sexual abuse of children in UAE has long been a taboo subject. Rape is the most common case of child sexual abuse in UAE. The main causes of child abuse could be the cultural belief that talking about sexual abuse of children is a taboo and the legal mechanisms in place (Claire, & Ian O'Donnel, 2007). For instance, for a successful prosecution of the crime of having sex outside of marriage in the UAE, a high degree of evidence is required for sex charges to stick in court, including a suspect's confession, witness testimonies or medical tests (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Under Sharia, four witnesses are required to testify and if there are less than four then the other witnesses may be charged with defamation. As a result many sex offenders take advantage of such weak legal systems to exploit children in sexual activities (Faller and Kathleen, 1993). Causes of child sexual abuse in Russia The high incidence of child sexual abuse in Russia is attributed to large number of homeless and parentless children. Official data shows that 100 thousand children live on the streets and up to 5 million in deprived families without actual adult supervision (Cesar, 2007). According to the UN Report on Violence against Children, children in residential care are among the most vulnerable in the world to violence and abuse. In Russia, sexual abuse of children in care is still a subject that is taboo and it has so far not been on the agendas of neither the governmental nor non-governmental organizations (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). The total number of reported cases of child abuse, including sexual abuse of children has increased rapidly in Russia during the past years but there is no statistics available specifically on children subject to abuse in state care (Jenkins, 2005). Most children due to their poor economic backgrounds are often lured by fake promise of being published in mainstream fashion magazines (Faller and Kathleen, 1993). According to the Russian National Consultation on commercial sexual exploitation of children Russia is one of the leading producers of child pornography and has high incidences of child trafficking and prostitution (Farber, 1994). There is also a high incidence of sex tourism in Russia which is widely advertised on the internet (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Thus, economic backgrounds, social backgrounds of children and commercialization of child sexual abuse in Russia are key factors driving child sexual abuse in Russia (Cesar, 2007). Mechanisms used to prevent child sexual abuse in UAE UAE lacks a child protection law or a single body responsible for the welfare of children. In the UAE sex outside marriage is a criminal offense (so is adultery), so unfortunately there are occasional reports of alleged rape victims ending up being prosecuted and jailed for having sex outside marriage, especially in emirates other than Dubai (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). The available law often results in crime offenders being set free because successful prosecution of the crime of having sex requires that a high degree of evidence (Claire, & Ian O'Donnel, 2007). In addition the burden of proof under Sharia (Islamic law) is even tougher. Under Sharia, four witnesses are required to testify and if there are less than four then the other witnesses may be charged with defamation (Cesar, 2007). Mechanisms used to prevent child sexual abuse in Russia Russia underwent reforms in 2003 that made the production and distribution of child pornography illegal. Sex offenders are charged with Russian Federation Criminal Code articles #127-1 (trafficking in persons), #132 (forceful acts of sexual abuse), #134 (sex acts with a minor under 16 years of age), #135 (perversion), #242-1 (production and sale of pornographic materials involving minors), #151 (enticing or forcing minors into anti-social activities). Despite the reforms, Russian law remains comparatively lenient with sentencing ranging from 2 to 10 years in prison and archaic. The gorvenment is also striving to introduce a law on chemical castration of child molesters. However, although Russia has signed and ratified important international conventions, such as the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, it has not yet developed a national plan of action against "commercial sexual exploitation of children." Analysis of results Results in each country UAE The results show that sexual abuse is on the rise in the UAE. However, there are no official statistics on the level of child sexual abuse in the country. Most of the statistics available are from media and those reported to police (Cesar, 2007). Even though the number of reported cases is low, the issue might be wide spread due to restrictive laws in existence in the country and the way sex victims are seen in the society (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Most people living in UAE are Muslims and they view sexual abuse as a taboo and few people are willing talk about it. In addition, prosecution of sex offenders in the country is not easy because the number of witnesses and evidence required is enormous to convict someone (Faller and Kathleen, 1993). As a result in most cases sex offenders are set free while the victims are victimized for defamation. As a consequence the number of re[ported cases might far below the reality (Claire, & O'Donnel, 2007). The deficiency in law and lack of openness on the topic could be the contributing factors to the rise in the number of child sexual abuse cases in the country (Cesar, 2007). Russia Studies indicate that Russia is one of the leading nations in child pornography. The number of child sexual abuse in the country is alarming (Cesar, 2007). It is estimated that almost a half of pornographic content involving children on the internet comes from Russia. Even though there are no official statistics on the number of cases, it is estimated that 9,500 sex crimes were reported in the year 2010. This might be just an iceberg of what the situation is since most cases go unreported. The main causes of child sexual abuse in Russia is attributed to large number of homeless and parentless children. The situation is made worse by the fact that in Russia, sexual abuse of children in care is still a subject that is taboo and it has so far not been on the agendas of neither the governmental nor non-governmental organizations (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Thus social instability, economic constraints and poor laws are necessitating the rise in child sexual abuse in Russia. Even though the country has tried to formulate laws to protect children from such abuse, the punishment offered to sex offender does not add up to the crimes they commit. Comparisons (similarities and applied theories) Both Russia and UAE emirates seem to have a rising number child sexual abuse. One common cause the rise is that the issue is still considered a taboo in both countries so the victims rarely talk about it mainly because justice will not be attained or the stigmatization that comes with it. The two countries have no legal systems that can handle the problem. Based on utilitarian theory, proper course of action is the one that maximizes the overall good of the greatest number of individuals (Faller and Kathleen, 1993). However, the legal system in the two countries does not allow this to be attained. In Russia for instance the maximum sentence for sexual offenders is ten years which is not moral worth action argued in the utilitarian theory (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). Such a sentence is not likely to change the offender from desisting from his/her immoral actions as required by the utilitarian theory. For the case of UAE the Sharia law makes it worse because instead of punishing the offender the victim is sometimes punished for defamation due to “lack” of enough evidence and witnesses required under Sharia law. Thus this action often goes against the utilitarian theory that requires actions that maximizes the overall good. The way two countries see child sexual abuse is as if they adhere to deontological ethics which is an approach to ethics that judges the morality of an action based on action adherence to a rule. It is assumed that parents have a duty to protect their children and hence cannot abuse them. This is evidence in UAE because children are often accused of exposing themselves to be abused and in most cases are the ones convicted for engaging in sexual offences with adults (Cesar, 2007). Comparisons (differences and applied theories) Unlike UAE, Russia seems to follow legalist theory which argues that the best way to control human behavior is through written law rather than through ritual, custom or ethics. Russia took a bold step in 2003 to write laws aimed protecting children from sexual abuse. O\n the other hand, UAE seems to go against legalist theory by relying mainly on religious norms to protect children from such abuse (Arehart-Treichel, 2005). This seems to be failing as witnessed by increasing number of children reporting to have been sexually abused (Cesar, 2007). Even though Russia has taken legalistic steps, there are still deficiencies in its legal system due to punishment prescribed for such offenders. The two countries also differ in the causes of this ethical issue. Whereas In Russia the main cause is broken families, in UAE the main cause customs which see child abuse topic as a taboo. Thus, UAE seems to adhere to deontological theory in keeping families together in order to protect the children. Conclusion The findings indicate that Russia has a high incidence of child sexual abuse. The main causes are unstable family life which often results in many children staying in streets. The major forms of abuse in Russia include pornography, child trafficking and other sexual abuses instigated by relatives. The government has tried to apply legalistic theory by institutionalizing some legal laws to guard children against child sexual molestation. However, punishments offered go against the utilitarian theory which requires that the action taken be able to rehabilitate the person. In the case of UAE, the issue of child sexual molestation is also on the rise. The country lacks legal framework to address the issue effectively. Thus the country has not embraced legalistic theory but instead relies on deontological theory that religious customs, ethics and morals are able to protect children. We recommend that Russia needs to educate families on the need to hold together and also to come up with legal frameworks that punishes the offenders in appropriate way in accordance to utilitarian theory. In addition, Russia need to form bodies that are concerned with child abuse. For the case of UAE, we recommend the country to move away from its customs and talk about child sexual abuse openly. We also recommend that the government formulates and implements laws that can help to protect children and punish child sexual offenders. References Arehart-Treichel, J. (2005). Dissociation Often Precedes PTSD In Sexually Abused Children. American Psychiatric Association Cesar C. (2007). RUSSIA: Stopping Sexual Abuse of Children. Moscow Times Claire M, Ian O'Donnel. (2007). Child Pornography: Crime, computers and society. New York: Willan Publishing. Faller and Kathleen C. (1993). Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment Issues. New York: Diane Publishing. Farber (1994). Annual progress in child psychiatry and child development. London: Psychology Press. Jenkins, P. (2005). Law Enforcement Efforts Against Child Pornography Are Ineffective," in At Issue: Child Sexual Abuse. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. Susan H. (1981). A New Self-Report Scale of Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Orientation in the Classroom. A journal on Motivational and Informational Components Read More