CASES of sexual misconduct among minors are on the rise of late, with many cases going unreported. It is shocking that children as young as eight and 13 are involved in sexual offences such as rape and oral sex.
As access to the media grows, exposure to pornography and lust has exploded.
The television, Internet and social media bring all sorts of sexual information directly into homes and schools.
Every scandalous behaviour, lustful desire and ungodly practice is instantly and graphically accessible to young children, resulting in an influx of cases of a sexual nature among minors.
Social media and peer influence coupled with the lack of awareness on sexual development, increased sexual urges and curiosity push minors into committing sexual misconduct with other minors.
Young children today are ill-informed on sex-related issues and the more adventurous are curious about their bodies and sexual matters.
Proper guidance on sexuality is urgent and indispensable to these young children.
Many young children get their information on sexuality from pornographic materials, friends and the Internet, all of which provide sensational and inaccurate information.
Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between a lack of sexual education and child pregnancies.
Children today are reaching puberty early due to the change in food consumption and lifestyle.
As such, they have to be informed of the physical and sexual changes that take place in their bodies.
Sexual perverts, such as strangers and relatives, have taken advantage of innocent children and sexually abused them, and many children are suffering in silence not knowing how their bodies have been ravaged by these perverts.
Parents must take the blame when young girls get involved in sexual relations as parental neglect has been identified as the single biggest cause of teen sex and pregnancies.
There is a need for parents to monitor their children and their whereabouts and whom they are with.
They have to be tech-savvy to monitor and keep track of their children’s activities on their mobile phones and the Internet.
They should also maintain a strong and healthy relationship with their children, and talk to them about the “birds and the bees” and the sanctity of sex and marriage.
Schools should also play their part and sexual education, called social and reproductive health, should be taught in all primary schools from Year One to educate them on the correct perspective and nature of sex and sexuality, and the responsibility it entails.
The module should focus on family values and personal safety and sexual awareness.
With such awareness, children would be in a better position to relate their ordeal to the authorities and not suffer in silence.
SAMUEL YESUIAH, Seremban, Negri Sembilan