Egyptian man jailed for kissing teen on the cheeks in Amman

Jordan

Published: 2018-05-22 16:08

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 23:59


Approximately 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 12.5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. (DNA India)
Approximately 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 12.5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. (DNA India)

The Grand Criminal Court in Amman has sentenced an Egyptian man to two and a half years in jail with hard labour, after finding him guilty of kissing a 13-year-old boy on the cheeks.

The incident took place in February, when the child walked into a restaurant near his home in South Amman to buy some food. The boy first encountered the offender at the restaurant’s entrance, where the latter greeted him at the door.

The court said that the boy shook hands with the offender after he greeted him with “shake my hand and let me give you a kiss,” while refusing to let the man kiss him.

Upon his refusal, the man grabbed the boy and took him to the building’s stairwell, however, he managed to flee back to the restaurant. The offender followed the child into the restaurant and gave him two kisses on the cheek while hugging him.

After hurriedly picking up his order, the boy ran home to his parents and told them what had happened.

Judging by the offender’s odd behaviour, had the child not escaped the offender from the stairwell, he might have been at risk of sexual assault or abuse.

Approximately 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 12.5 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Pereda et al, 2009), and 95% of those children will be abused by someone they know and trust (Snyder, 2000).

Parents have a responsibility to educate their young children on the signs of sexual abuse and grooming. It is also essential to believe their child if they disclose that they’ve been sexually abused.