Sexual abuse is not only physical

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Sexual abuse is any action that pressures or coerces someone to participate in sexual activity that is unwanted. Physical abuse is any contact made with your body that is intentional and unwanted. How do you prove and provide evidence of emotional sexual abuse in Jamaica for someone who is deemed a moral aristocrat?

While I was working at a prominent government institution, I had a male manager who is a popular pastor and political affiliate. He used his position to manipulate and abuse me emotionally by saying things like “I will slap you on your buttocks”.

I tried to report the incidents to the union, but I was told ‘under the radar’ that due to his standing in society, it would go nowhere. Jamaica is supposed to be a democratic society, but women’s rights are being muted due to a person’s standing in society or his political affiliations.

I cried every day before going to work. I was in fear. I had nowhere to go, and people shrugged it off because he did not physically touch me. If it wasn’t for my mother, I don’t know how I would have coped.

Emotional sexual abuse contains non-physical behaviours. This can be calling you names and putting you down, yelling and screaming, blaming you for their abusive behaviour, and making you feel guilty for not consenting to their wishes or commands.

Hard evidence

I, too, was abused by this man and in most cases, for verbal or emotional sexual abuse, there is no hard evidence. It’s my word against yours. As the Jamaican saying goes, “him soon meet him Waterloo”. It is just unfortunate that the young lady has no evidence to support her case. But abuse does not have to be physical. It can be verbal and affect a person emotionally.

Although the system may declare an accused not guilty, it doesn’t mean that the accused didn’t do the crime. I implore the Jamaican woman to not remain silent. Use technology to your advantage and find a way to gather evidence of emotional sexual abuse to prevent this from continuing.

EMOTIONAL SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIM

#metoomovement