Approximately 350 million pupils suffer from school violence each year, with vulnerability varying according to gender, sexual orientation, disability and minority group status.
For girls, sexual violence is a twin threat from both boys and teachers. A study of Ecuadorian female adolescent victims of sexual violence found that 36.9 per cent cited teachers as perpetrators. In some countries, male teachers exploit their gender and authority by offering good grades in exchange for sex.
In addition, the belief in a number of African countries that AIDS can be cured by having sex with a virgin has led to the abuse of young girls and disabled pupils who are seen as easy targets and mistakenly assumed to be sexually inactive.
Research has also revealed that girls are more vulnerable on their journeys to and from school and in or near toilets, empty classrooms, computer rooms, libraries, dormitories or near the perimeter of school grounds.
The effects of school violence are multiple and overlapping. Children suffer physical and psychological trauma and often pupils who remain in school develop problems with concentration and learning. In the worst cases, school violence can lead to, long-term mental illness, school drop-out or death.
Clearly, the research indicates that gender must be taken into account as we pursue our education, child protection and child rights work.
For more information on the international conference, Learn Without Fear - Looking at Violence from the Gender Perspective visit www.learnwithoutfear.de
