“How many schools teach students the skills to protect themselves from sexual abuse?” an education expert asked. 

The expert commented that in many countries, sex education is a part of the official curriculum, but in Vietnam it is not considered an important school subject.

Educators, who acknowledge the importance of sex education and the teaching of skills to prevent sexual abuse, said teachers do not mention the issues during lessons unless they talk about related issues, such as biology or citizenship education.

Educators, who acknowledge the importance of sex education and the teaching of skills to prevent sexual abuse, said teachers do not mention the issues during lessons unless they talk about related issues, such as biology or citizenship education. 

It is also difficult to arrange time and money for seminars and to persuade parents to attend. 

The headmaster of a primary school said that many parents disagree with the school’s sexual education plan. “One time, we intended to invite a psychologist to the school to talk about the issue. But some parents strongly opposed the idea, saying that such a delicate subject must not be mentioned in front of small children,” she said.

“Parents continue to be conservative. They believe that Vietnam should follow the traditional education method, and that the topic cannot be approached in the same way in western countries,” she said.

Hoang Thuy Hoa, a parent in Cau Giay district, who has a master's degree, admitted that she doesn’t know how to deal with the issue in the best way.

“My colleagues at the office said modern parents need to have straight talk with children about the issue. Children in modern times need to be equipped with the knowledge about psychology of sex. But I am afraid that sexual education would do more harm than good, if the teaching method is improper,” Hoa said. 

Hoa is not alone. In fact, not only parents in rural areas, but the ones in large cities with high education levels like Hoa also find it difficult to deal with the problem.

A MOLISA report showed that child sexual abuse is on the rise in Vietnam. About 2,000 Vietnamese children face violence and abuse annually, including 1,200 suffering from sexual abuse.

In related news, Hanoi police have arrested Cao Manh Hung, 34, for the alleged sexual abuse of an eight-year-old girl in Hoang Mai District’s Thinh Liet Ward. As per the family’s complaint, the incident took on January 8.

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Thu Ha