Transactional Sex

Sex for grades is one of the factors affecting the education system of Liberia. It is found almost in every institution in Liberia. This syndrome has affected many female students in Liberia. Most male teachers are in the habit of asking female students for sex and if the child refuses, the teacher goes on to fail the child. Many females will consent due to fear of repeating a course and peer pressure, forgetting the greater impact of their actions.

Sex for grades is abuse to the child. It has greater psychological effects on the child’s development. The future of our female students is at risk due to the increasing number of sexual harassment and abuse in every institution. The learning environment of our kids should be free from unwanted harassment and abuse. The effects of ‘sex for grades’ cannot be understated. It triggers future social-health issues like trauma, depression, and a damaging effect on one’s personality and every other thing earned for. Sex for grades makes the victim depressed and isolated and may destroy the child’s high esteem they built for years. Sometimes they look down on themselves and feel nothing good can come out of them.

Sex for grades is of great concern because it is linked to an increased risk of:

• HIV & AIDS
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Unwanted and unprepared pregnancies
• Unsafe abortion
• Exposure to sexual and gender-based violence
• Low self-esteem
• Increased fear, guilt, and self-blame
• Self-harming or suicidal thoughts
• Learning disorders, including poor language and cognitive development
• Mental health disorders such as anxiety, attachment, post-traumatic stress, and depression disorder
• Negative effects on a child’s health, relationships, and education
• Distrust of adults or difficulty forming relationships with others

How Do We Help?

We primarily focus on primary, junior, and senior high schools in Liberia. We teach the kids to speak up about sexual harassment and abuse. We also teach them about the consequences of transactional sex, as listed above.

• Talk about body parts early.
• We teach them that some body parts are private.
• We teach the children that body secrets are not okay.
• We teach the children that no one should take pictures of their private parts.
• We teach the children how to get out of scary or uncomfortable situations.
• We teach them how to speak up about sexual about to their parents
• We teach them that they report any form of sexual harassment and abuse to school authorities.