‘Early intervention helps shape child’s behaviour’

It is not often that the subject of a child or young person sexually abusing another is spoken about. If it happens at a school or a children’s home, the usual reaction, says Vidya Reddy of Tulir, Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, is to punish or suspend the offending child. But does this help?

If there is no intervention and the child is not taught to correct his behaviour, it may continue into adulthood, says Zenaida S. Rosales, co-founder, Centre for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse.

In her work in the Philippines, Ms. Rosales found that with intervention, young offenders could be taught to take responsibility for their actions, change their behaviour and eventually, go back to their families.

“Globally, studies have found that cognitive behavioural therapy is effective. The chances of changing offensive behaviour in young boys are high — there are high chances of recovery, and we have seen this in our work. But if there is no intervention, the chances are, they will continue to abuse,” she says.

Ms. Rosales, who was in the city for a conference recently, says that a multi-disciplinary approach is needed. “We have social workers, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a community representative and others all working on the child, the family, the victim and her family as well as with the community in order to effect change in the context of restorative justice,” she says.

At first, there is a tendency to deny the act. “The young offender will blame everyone except himself. He will remove empathy towards the victim and rationalize and justify his actions,” she says. With therapy, the experts work on reframing this attitude, building empathy, working on anger management and teaching offenders control as well as how to recognize their triggers.

“All of the young offenders we have worked with have experienced some form of violence — in their homes or environments. Pornography, and easy access to it, is another trigger. With very young offenders, there is also the influence of the peer group,” she says.

And so, it is essential to work with families and communities — both to identify triggers and problems, as well as to ensure that when the boys return, their environment is healthier.

It’s not only young boys abusing young girls — there have been cases of women abusing children too, as well young boys abusing other young boys. The rehabilitation process can take anywhere from six months to two years, says Ms. Rosales.

“We cannot guarantee that they will not offend again. But that also does not mean they should be treated as adult criminals,” she says.

Young sexual offenders could be taught to take responsibility for their actions, and change their behaviour