Preparing for the Future: Sexual Abuse of Girls and Young Women,

Khan, F. U
March 1995.

Chapters: 1. Overview of the Problem, 2. Objectives of the Study, 3. Findings of the Study, 4. Problem Analysis: Towards a Conceptual Framework, 5. Recommendations: Preparing for the Future.

This report is based on a research study of sexual abuse of girls and young women in Punjab. The analysis is based on a combination of empirical data collected from newspapers and actual case studies conducted by War Against Rape (WAR). The report points out that variations in cultures and socio-economic conditions have a minimal impact on the incidence and frequency of sexual abuse. Thus, awareness and social and economic development may not be the only solution to the paradox of sexual violence, and will not eliminate this phenomenon. Consequently, it is important to determine the priority areas for intervention in the future. On the prevention side, the single most important objective is the empowerment of women and enhancing the awareness of both the girl child and her parents. On the rehabilitation side, preparing for the future entails strengthening and extending the woefully small existing support services. The report also offers recommendations by spelling out various means and activities through which these objectives may be met. The realization of these goals will depend on effective networking between NGOs and a spirit of coordination among the identified partners. This report should not be viewed as a baseline study, but as a work which attempts to focus on the conceptual framework of the complex underlying problems associated with the phenomenon of rape, gang rape, degradation of women, child sexual abuse and the traditional concepts of 'honor' and 'power' embedded in the Punjabi culture.

Key words: Women, Children, Girl Child, Sexual Abuse, Violence Against Women, Rape, Gang Rape, Honor, Feudal Attitudes, and Patriarchy