Faced with the worrying increase in sexual violence against minors in Tunisia, health professionals and child protection actors called, Thursday in Tunis, for the systematic integration of comprehensive sexuality education from the youngest age Age.
Gathered during a round table entitled “Speaking to protect: comprehensive sexuality education in the face of child sexual abuse”, the speakers drew up an alarming observation: the psychotraumatic after-effects of sexual abuse of children constitute a major public health issue, requiring a global and coordinated response.
Organized by the Tunisian Society of Clinical Sexology (STSC) and the Tunisian Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (STPEA), in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the meeting highlighted the multiple obstacles hindering prevention and care, particularly among children in situations of vulnerability.
According to a publication on STSC social networks, the discussions made it possible to take stock of sexual violence and its clinical repercussions, while underlining the central role of sexuality education as a lever for primary prevention. Participants called for an integrated approach mobilizing the health, educational and social sectors.
Closing the work, UNFPA presented concrete courses of action aimed at strengthening the deployment of comprehensive sexuality education within child protection systems.
This initiative is part of the joint efforts of different partners to consolidate child protection mechanisms and promote sexual and reproductive health in Tunisia.
