CISOCA: Sexually abused boys suffering in silence

 

The Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) says more boys are being sexually abused and are suffering in silence.

 

Superintendent Kerry-Ann Bailey, head of CISOCA, says sexual abuse of males, especially boys, remains underreported due to cultural stigma. 

 

"Yes, we are concerned because even though we are out there, we are in the schools, they know where to report, as you said, it's a cultural thing. So people shy away from it because boys don't want other boys to know that they were molested, they were buggered. Automatically they feel that they will be branded as being homosexuals because of the thing. It will carry them throughout school, they might have to change schools because of stigma being attached to them or everybody now talking about them. And a lot of the boys can't withstand that kind of pressure," she explained.

 

Superintendent Bailey said boys from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are often forced into vulnerable and dangerous situations.

 

"One parent may be able to give their child the name brand things, the school bag, the shoes, money to go to school. Another child might be struggling where that is concerned. So that child may want to do something, to engage in work afterwards, to make some money on the side for themselves. And when they do that, if it is not done in a controlled way, if it is not done in a supervised way, they find themselves in all kinds of situations including sexual exploitation," she warned. 

 

Superintendent Bailey was speaking recently on the JCF's Force4Good Podcast.

 

She urged communities to step up, pay attention and support children who have been sexually abused.