Male pupils more at risk of sex threats
Published on November 13, 2005
More male students have suffered sexual violation than females, according to a recent survey by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. It found male students had twice the risk of sexual harassment compared to female students, while homosexual students consider committing suicide at a rate seven times higher than other students.
Conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) and the ministry, the poll investigated the at-risk behaviour of 283,793 high-school students in every district across the country.
It found 12 per cent of respondents had thought about killing themselves. But contrary to other polls, the research discovered that the level of promiscuity was not abnormal, involving only 2.36 per cent of the respondents.
The poll also showed that 5.46 per cent of male students had encountered sexual harassment, twice the number of female students who had. Most were abused by male friends, while female students were principally abused by a family member or close friends.
Students in the three restive southern provinces are having problems dealing with stress rather than sexual relationships, the poll said.
Meanwhile, Social Development and Human Security Minister Wattana Muangsuk urged the media to stop publishing nude images of famous Thai actress Piyamat Monyakul who is now 53. The minister said the nude pictures circulating in some media had led to sexual stimulation among teens and promoted underage sex.
Wattana said Nida’s research had shown the content of some sections of the media played a key role in sexual behaviour among Thai teens.