SECTION ONE: DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF ADOLESCENTS

Who are the youth and who are adolescents?
WHO defines adolescence as the period between 10 and 19 years of age, which broadly corresponds to the onset of puberty and the legal age for adulthood. The UN has defined "youth" as those in the age range 15-24, partly overlapping WHO definition.

Commencement of puberty is usually associated with the beginning of adolescence. The end of adolescence on the other hand, varies from culture to culture. In some societies, adolescents are expected to shoulder adult responsibilities well before they are adults; in others, such responsibilities come later in life. Although it is a transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, it is the time that the adolescents experience critical and defining life events-first
sexual relations, first marriage, first childbearingand parenthood.

In most parts of the world, sexual relations begin during adolescence. It is a critical period which lays the foundation for reproductive health of the individual lifetime. Therefore, "adolescent
reproductive and sexual health involves a specific set of needs distinct from adult needs." (1)

All over the world, age at puberty is declining while age at marriage is rising. Because of an increase in the amount of time young people spend between puberty and first marriage, first sexual experience and child bearing may take place for many in different personal and social contexts. Because of the inequity between
sexes that pervades all societies, adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to the risks associated with misinformed and unprotected sexual relationships and the hazards of teenage pregnancies.

Sexual abuse and violence – incidence, causes and consequences

Worldwide, young adults and children suffer the physical and emotional traumas of sexual assault andrape.

Because much sexual violence goes unreported, it is difficult to estimate how many young people suffer from sexual abuse, sexual coercion, incest or violence. Most often the perpetrators are relatives,neighbours or acquaintances.

Among women in the United States, 74% of those who experienced intercourse before age 14 and 60% of those who experienced sex before age 15, reported havingbeen forced. (51)

Many adolescent women are sexually assaulted by their boyfriends or dates. Adolescent women in traditional societies, married to much older men, are often unable to negotiate or control the frequency or the timings of intercourse, and are often coerced by theirhusbands.

In many parts of the world, youths are victims of sexual exploitation for commercial gain.

According to UNICEF, sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a multibillion-dollar illegal industry. In Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand, youths have been lured into prostitution by recruiters; or parents may sell their daughters into
prostitution as source of income or daughters may choose this route to fulfill an economic obligation.

Sexual abuse in childhood can lead to high riskbehavior later in life.

Young people who are sexually abused in childhood start consensual sexual activity early, are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to use contraceptives. Sexual violence can lead to severe injuries, mental illness, alcohol abuse, drug
abuse, sexual dysfunction, unwanted pregnancy, STD and HIV. It may lead to attempted suicide.

In all cultures the rape victim is suspected ofcollusion with the rapist.

Since the victims are traumatized and stigmatized by the experience, only a small proportion of rapes are reported, especially when the perpetrator is a family member or a friend of the family. Reports of rape do not guarantee redress or punishment of the offenders.

It is difficult to prove sexual violence, unless thereis clear physical injury.