Non-Physical Sexual Behaviour

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Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on sexual and physical violence which some readers may find disturbing.

Non-Physical Behaviour which is unwelcome and of a sexual nature is known as Sexual Harassment.

Sexual Harassment can be non-physical actions like¹:

Speaking and Gesturing sexually

• Speaking, gesturing or showing sexual organs so that the child sees it.
• Showing a sexual object or any sexual parts of the body to a child.
• Forcing or asking a child to show his or her body parts to someone else.

Stalking and Threatening

• Repeatedly or constantly following, watching or contacting a child either directly or indirectly by phone, SMS, the internet or any other form.
• Threatening or lying to a child to involve him or her in a sexual act in any form of media.

Pornography Related

• Showing pornography to a child in any form.
• Tempting or offering things like chocolates to a child so that the child participates in any pornographic acts.

Sexual Harassment of a child is punishable with jail time up to three years along with a fine.²

1. Section 11, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.[↩]
2. Section 12, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.[↩]