Girls are learning that sexual violence and abuse are an inescapable part of going to school every day, so they don't go, said Erika George, counsel to the Academic Freedom Program at Human Rights Watch and the author of the report. South African officials say they're committed to educational equality. If they mean it, they must address the problem of sexual violence in schools, without delay.
Girls fall victims to fellow students, but more often to teachers and school employees.
Teachers can misuse their authority to sexually abuse girls, sometimes reinforcing sexual demands with threats of corporal punishment or promises of better grades, or even money. The material contained on this Web site comes to you via IRIN, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. All graphics and images on this site may not be re-produced without the express permission of the original owner.