SEX WITHOUT CONSENT: Young People in Developing Countries

The pressing need to break the silence on non-consensual sex among young people – an issue shrouded by denial, underreporting and stigma – is self-evident. Despite the growing body of research regarding young people’s sexual behaviours, the study of coercive sexual experiences has generally been overlooked by both researchers and national programmes. Available evidence has been scattered and unrepresentative and despite this evidence, non-consensual sex among young people is perceived to be a rare occurrence. This volume dispels any such misconception. It presents a disturbing picture of non-consensual sex among girls as well as boys, and among married as well as unmarried young women in a variety of settings. This volume documents, moreover, the expanse of non-consensual experiences that young people face – from unwanted touch to forced penetrative sex and gang rape. Although the focus is on young females, the volume also sheds light on the experience of young males as both victims and perpetrators.

This pioneering volume highlights key factors placing young people at risk, whilst outlining the significant distinctive health and social implications they face. Sex Without Consent also documents the unsupportive – and sometimes abusive or negligent – roles of families, teachers, health care providers and law enforcement agents, outlines promising efforts intended to prevent non-consensual sex or support survivors, and argues for profound changes in norms and values that tolerate or encourage non-consensual sex. The editors argue compellingly for a radical review and reform of existing programmes designed to prevent this kind of abuse and to support young survivors of sexual trauma in the developing world. Addressing the magnitude, determinants and consequences of sex without consent, this volume provides evidence-based directions for programming.

Shireen J. Jejeebhoy, PhD, Senior Programme Associate of the Population Council, New Delhi, is a demographer involved in social science research on various aspects of sexual and reproductive health. Earlier, she was Scientist, Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva. Her particular areas of focus have been gender issues and adolescent sexual and reproductive health and development.

Iqbal Shah, PhD, currently Team Coordinator for Preventing Unsafe Abortion at the Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, is also responsible for coordinating the department’s activities in social science and operations research in reproductive health, including a major research initiative on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. He has to his name a number of publications on issues related to sexual and reproductive health.

Shyam Thapa, PhD, is a senior scientist with Family Health International (FHI), Virginia. He coordinates and oversees monitoring and evaluation for the FHI-led YouthNet project, which focuses on improving reproductive health and preventing HIV/AIDS among young people in developing countries. He has over twenty years’ experience in policy and programme development, knowledge/skills transfer, research and evaluation of youth, maternal and child health, family planning and HIV/AIDS programmes. He is also an Adjunct Fellow with the Population and Health Studies Program of the East-West Center, Honolulu.