Cultural Dimensions of Harassment against Children: An Analytical and Field Study in Qena Governorate

Sexual harassment against children is regarded as one of the most critical phenomena existing in all societies, whether Eastern or Western, developing or developed, even if the extent of the spread and aggravation of this phenomenon differs. Some of it may be linked to religious motives and others to the prevailing culture, customs and traditions of a given particular society. However, Arab societies have recently begun to pay attention to this phenomenon, as such societies have begun to become aware of the seriousness of sexual harassment against children. In addition, societal reactions have become clear in the contrast between insistence on denial that it is a phenomenon that does not deserve all attention and work at the level of social change and spreading awareness among the various segments of society, ending with actual action to confront it legally and legislatively.
 Furthermore, it can be said that this phenomenon has begun to sound the alarm of danger, especially with its spread in Upper Egypt, which previously did not know such phenomena. Rather, it is considered one of the phenomena that is alien to our Arab culture, our ancient values, and our true Islamic religion. It is worth noting that the significance of this current study is that it aims to provide a integrated comprehensive explanation of the phenomenon of harassment against children from all social and cultural dimensions. This is in addition to discussing the motives that led to the spread of the phenomenon of child harassment. Therefore, one could  reach a set of findings and recommendations that would contribute to limiting its spread and to spreading awareness among all segments of society.
The current study relied on several approaches, represented by the case study approach, the social survey approach, in order to shed light on the phenomenon that is the subject of the study from its various aspects. This is mainly  to identify its dimensions, provide a scientific conception of it, and to know its characteristics and the factors that govern it. The study also relied on several tools for collecting data, which were the questionnaire, interview, and observation. This study is considered one of the descriptive and analytical studies as it describes the phenomenon of sexual harassment against children. Among the most important findings of the study are the following: (1) there is a reversed relationship between family stability and an increase in the rate of harassment against children, (2) the style of treatment within the family affects the rates of harassment. This is because the milder the upbringing style, the lower the rates of harassment and vice versa, by 95%.