Meaning of Sexual rights and child abuse among primary school children in Bangkok, Thailand

The objectives of this study first explores, the meaning of sexual rights and sexuality exist, among pupils and teachers in Thai Society. Second it examines the attitudes of teachers towards making aware school children about the issues of sexual rights, abuse and harassment. The data for this study gathered from a qualitative study which collected information following 16 in-depth interviews from 10 students and 6 teachers in two primary school in Bangkok. We analyze data by using both disclosure and content analyses. Results revealed that students and teachers have different meaning on sexual abuse and harassment.
Students have different meaning of sexual rights and sexual abuse depending on child’s age, sex, and experience. Most of the adult children explained that they aware about sexual abuse and harassments and they had knowledge on prevent such occasions, while young children had very little knowledge on sexual rights and abuse. All teachers emphasized that there is need for teaching students about rights, harassment, including sexual communication to make aware students about such issues in order to reduce incidences. In addition, teachers suggest that use of mass media and conducting awareness programs at schools, are very effective methods of making aware the children about such issues.