Dubai: "The trauma [of sexual assault] keeps haunting the abused, for years, if not for life," said M.R, who claims to have been abused by a taxi driver at the age of seven.
Following reports of the sexual assault of a four-year-old kindergarten pupil at Modern High School, Nad Al Sheba, in November allegedly by her bus driver and two conductors while she was returning home from school, M.R said in an email to Gulf News that the incident, that occurred over 30 years ago, still haunts him.
"I was abused by a taxi driver, in the-then developing city of Karama, back in 1978.
The incident is still very clear in my mind. For a small, innocent boy of seven, it is impossible to think of such acts," he wrote.
He still remembers the incident clearly, he said, and described how his brothers believed that he was making it all up.
Mother's defence
"[My] mother was the only one to defend me. And her argument was based on this alone — we are an orthodox household. It is impossible for the boy imagine such acts, unless he experienced it," he said.
"It is very degrading to describe what I was subjected to. This is for family reading and I will, hence, omit the gory details."
M.R. continued: "While I try to control my desires from committing sins, I find myself weak in this one area. I have committed myself to be in ablution [Wudu] 24/7, to fight the desires, but I find myself weak against this. I am unable to the control my urges. and I believe this is because of my exposure to the same, at such an innocent age."
"How will society ever return the innocence of the victim? The fact is... they can't!"
Victims of sexual assault, abuse or rape need immediate help from psychologists to heal the wounds and get back to normal life, according to experts.
"The earlier medical and psychological help is sought the better it is. It will help heal the wounds faster and give the victim and the family adequate support," said Dr Azhar Abu Ali, care and rehabilitation director at the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children.
Child protection
All visitors including parents can only enter Modern High School by a specific gate and they will be required to adhere to security procedures, a circular obtained by Gulf News reads. Parents have to hand over a personal identity card and record their intention of visit. They will be given visitors card bearing a number and will be escorted to reception where the front office staff will direct them.
Several parents said they were irked by the new measure. However, a spokesman for GEMS, which runs the school, said child protection is the single most important issue for them.
