Launched earlier this year (2013), The Boys Project rescues and provides rehabilitation opportunities to young boys suffering from sexual abuse. These boys are not sold into prostitution or sex trafficking like many of the girls OBV rescues. They are, however, tricked, cajoled, or are otherwise forced into reoccurring sexual acts, often times by an acquaintance or friend of the family.
Threats Lead to a Cycle of Sexual Abuse
Fr. Martino shared an example of how someone would go about taking advantage of a young boy.
In one particular situation, the predator could be a neighbor or family friend, someone who has some sort of social equity with the boy's family or parents.
The predator might offer the boy money or toys in order to build a relationship. Eventually, such offers lead to requests for sexual favors in return. The boy, not knowing any better, would feel pressured or guilted into fulfilling the predator's request.
Shortly thereafter, the boy would receive threats of exposure to friends and family if he didn't continue to perform sexual acts. Sometimes the predator might surreptitiously record the act and use it against the boy to make them comply with future demands. Other times the threat might be simply telling the parents that the boy committed the act on his own volition.
Shortly thereafter, the boy would receive threats of exposure to friends and family if he didn't continue to perform sexual acts. Sometimes the predator might surreptitiously record the act and use it against the boy to make them comply with future demands. Other times the threat might be simply telling the parents that the boy committed the act on his own volition.
Regardless of what kind of threat is used, the boy is now in a situation that he is too afraid to leave.
More abuse occurs, some by the same predator, some by the predator's friends or colleagues. More threats lead to more pressure to do what the predator says.
Cultural and Social Roadblocks in Helping Sexually Abused Boys
Cultural nuances make helping these boys difficult. Upon learning that their son was abused by an older man, some parents would much prefer to sweep the whole thing under the rug rather than take action to help rehabilitate their child and get them the counseling they need to overcome the trauma they've endured.
Fr. Martino explained that this may be due to the nation's view of homosexuality.
Vietnam is at a very unique crossroads when it comes to homosexuality. On one hand, Vietnam is close to becoming the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. On the other hand, homosexuality is still considered to be a social taboo. It wasn't until earlier this year that Vietnam removed a fine on same-sex marriage.
Vietnam is at a very unique crossroads when it comes to homosexuality. On one hand, Vietnam is close to becoming the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. On the other hand, homosexuality is still considered to be a social taboo. It wasn't until earlier this year that Vietnam removed a fine on same-sex marriage.
While the next generation of globally connected Vietnamese are more accepting of homosexuality, their parents' generation still seems to struggle with it. When their boy is the victim of a sexual predator of the same sex, the parents may be more inclined to keep it quiet.
Fr. Martino was quick to state that homosexuality and these acts of child sexual abuse were very much mutually exclusive; homosexuality did not lead a person to commit these crimes. A person's desire to abuse these kids led to their actions.
Fr. Martino was quick to state that homosexuality and these acts of child sexual abuse were very much mutually exclusive; homosexuality did not lead a person to commit these crimes. A person's desire to abuse these kids led to their actions.
Another potential roadblock that may keep parents from giving their child access to the help that they need comes from the social taboo of being a bad parent. The idea of face and of saving face is shared across East and SE Asia; this particular cultural nuance of saving face is most certainly still exhibited in Vietnam.
Unlike in the States where people rarely know their neighbors' names, neighborhoods in Vietnam are still pretty close-knit. People know each other by name, and likewise people know about what going on in the neighborhood.
Parents fear word getting out about their family's situation were they to prosecute those who abused their son, or were they to seek out counseling for their son.
How OBV Helps
OBV offers the parents the chance to send their son to a different location where they can continue their education in a safe environment and receive visits from local doctors who can work with the son on overcoming the trauma of their abuse.
Each boy or small groups of boys are placed in the house of a volunteer or supporter of The Boys Project. There the boys will be raised under the guidance of an OBV volunteer who will serve as their "uncle," making sure they are well nourished and progressing in their studies. These uncles will take the boys out for various activities and entertainment, reminding them that they are still normal boys who can and should enjoy all of the fun experiences boys at their age typically have.
Once a month if not more frequently, a volunteer doctor will visit each of the boys and make themselves available to discuss what has happened to them.
At first glance, the idea of relocating these boys away from their parents might be counterintuitive or counterproductive towards their healing. While maintaining a connection to one's parents would normally seem like the best course of action, some parents are simply unwilling to take steps towards rehabilitating their son due to fear of social and cultural repercussions. Thus, OBV provides them with the option and resources to heal emotionally while ensuring that they progress in their studies.
How OBV Helps
OBV offers the parents the chance to send their son to a different location where they can continue their education in a safe environment and receive visits from local doctors who can work with the son on overcoming the trauma of their abuse.
Each boy or small groups of boys are placed in the house of a volunteer or supporter of The Boys Project. There the boys will be raised under the guidance of an OBV volunteer who will serve as their "uncle," making sure they are well nourished and progressing in their studies. These uncles will take the boys out for various activities and entertainment, reminding them that they are still normal boys who can and should enjoy all of the fun experiences boys at their age typically have.
Once a month if not more frequently, a volunteer doctor will visit each of the boys and make themselves available to discuss what has happened to them.
At first glance, the idea of relocating these boys away from their parents might be counterintuitive or counterproductive towards their healing. While maintaining a connection to one's parents would normally seem like the best course of action, some parents are simply unwilling to take steps towards rehabilitating their son due to fear of social and cultural repercussions. Thus, OBV provides them with the option and resources to heal emotionally while ensuring that they progress in their studies.
No comments:
Post a Comment