Perpetrators and Common Places of Sexual Harassment Against Adolescent School Girls in Nepal

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to find out the vulnerable places of sexual harassment to the girl students and the persons involved in such unwanted behaviors. It was a mixed-methods study. Altogether 773 girl respondents were selected for obtaining quantitative data from Lalitpur and Rupendehi districts in Nepal. Similarly, 10 focus group discussions, 14 Key informant interviews, and eight In-depth interviews were conducted for collecting qualitative data. The result showed that male peers/ friends, teachers, neighbors/ relatives, and strangers were involved in sexual harassment. Frequency of verbal/gestural type of sexual harassment is higher from male peers and touching/pinching and sexual abuse/assault types of sexual harassment are more common from teachers and relatives. Sexual harassment frequently happens in public transport. In society, teachers deserve great respect and trust from parents and students. They have close access to girl students. However, such trust and closeness transformed into sexual harassment whereby accelerating sexual harassment. The higher incidence of sexual harassment at public transports might be due to the proximity and anonymity, which, in turn, results in high levels of sexual harassment and abuse with very little risk of social or legal consequences. The awareness program against sexual harassment and strong laws and order are essential and the judiciary process should be simple and victim-friendly that can reduce sexual harassment to girl students by various perpetrators at different domains in society.

Sexual Harassment Experiences of Undergraduate Students of Kathmandu: A Qualitative Study

“…The prevalence of sexual harassment revealed in our study is in congruence with previous studies conducted in Nepal. For example, several studies have reported a high prevalence of harassment of women in public transport (Neupane&Chesney-Lind, 2014;Mishra & Lamichhane, 2018), workplace (Kunwar et al, 2014), school area (Gyawali, 2020), and clinical setting (Gaihre, Regmi, & Shrestha, 2018).…”

Sexual Harassment and its Effects in Nepalese Society - A Systematic Review

“…There are strongly associated with sexual harassment and public transpiration facilities in Kathmandu. (Gyawali, 2020) The findings indicated that teachers, neighbors, relatives, and complete strangers all engaged in sexual harassment. Male peers are more likely to engage in verbal or gestural forms of sexual harassment, while teachers and family members are more likely to engage in touching, pinching, or other forms of sexual abuse or assault.…”

“…Geographically the systematic paper review were included in various study areas, i.e. seven from Kathmandu (Bhatta et al, 2021, Gautam et al,2019, Khanal & Paudel, 2022, Paudel, 2022, Pandey et al, 2022, Sharma et al, 2022and Thapalia et al, 2019 valley, two from Lalitpur and Rupendehi (Gyawali, 2020 andGyawali, 2021), and each one from Nawalparasi, (Gyawali & Maharjan, 2022), Lalitpur (Dawadi et al, 2022, and Bharatpur (Wagle et al, 2022) respectively.…”

“…The systematic review analyzed studies on female, girl, and women's experiences, knowledge, and perceptions of SH in various fields and common places. Seven papers focused on SH in traveling, school premises, and common places (Bhatta et al, 2021;Gautam et al, 2019;Gyawali, 2020;Pandey et al, 2022;Sharma et al, 2022;Thapalia et al, 2019;Wagle et al, 2022). Two studies were in the context of mental health issues (Gyawali, 2021) and (Gyawali & Maharjan, 2022).…”

Perceptions and Experiences of Sexual Harassment among Educated Female in Kathmandu Nepal

“…Sexual harassment occurs in different circumstances, such as in different age, caste, power and authority. We can see the sexual harassment at home and outside the home, for example: working place, school, street and while moving from one place to another place by bus or taxi (Gyawli, 2020).…”