Report: Over a third of female Moroccan primary students experience sexual harassment

A recent report from the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research (HCTR) has revealed alarming statistics regarding the prevalence of sexual harassment and violence among Moroccan students.

The report indicates that more than one-third of primary school students have faced sexual harassment, and over 10 percent of students in preparatory and qualifying stages have been victims of “forced sexual relations.”

It also highlights a rise in various forms of digital violence, particularly the posting of intimate photos on social media platforms.

The Habib Al-Maliki Council’s report, titled “Gender Equality in and through the Education System,” shows that 30.3 percent of female students and 37.9 percent of male students at the primary level reported experiences of sexual harassment.

These findings echo previous research conducted by the High Commission for Planning in 2019, which indicated that 14.6 percent of female students and 10.4 percent of male students experienced forced sexual relations.

The council has raised urgent concerns about the need for protective measures for girls against sexual violence within school environments. It noted that girls in secondary and preparatory levels are particularly vulnerable.

The report further indicated that the majority of reported cases of sexual violence were perpetrated by boys, with 66.3 percent of harassed primary school students identifying male classmates as the offenders. In preparatory and qualifying stages, this figure rose to 70 percent.

Additionally, the report revealed that teachers are implicated in harassment, with 5.1 percent of primary school students and 18.7 percent of secondary students witnessing sexual harassment committed by a teacher against other students. This finding is particularly troubling as educators are expected to foster a safe and respectful learning environment.

The report detailed that harassment extends beyond physical acts to include comments, jokes, and attitudes laden with sexual innuendo. The council emphasized that while these behaviors might seem minor, they contribute to a toxic atmosphere that negatively impacts students.

Based on the council’s assessment of violence in educational settings, boys are identified as the most frequent victims of physical violence. The data shows that 9.2 percent of female primary students reported being beaten multiple times, compared to 13.2 percent of male students.

Among secondary students, 8.3 percent of boys reported being pushed or hit five or more times, while only 5.1 percent of girls reported similar experiences.

When considering the gender of the perpetrators, 44.4 percent of boys and 32 percent of girls who reported physical violence stated that their assailants were boys from the same institution. In contrast, only 5.9 percent of boys and 23.3 percent of girls identified female classmates as their aggressors.

The report also examined verbal violence, stating that it affects students of both genders, although the motivations differ. Approximately 10.3 percent of female primary students reported frequent exposure to cursing, while the percentage rose to 12.4 percent for all students.

Ridicule is another form of verbal abuse noted in the report, with reasons cited by victims including academic performance, physical appearance, and personal grooming choices.

The council highlighted that about 50 percent of primary school students have been taunted by male peers, while 29 percent reported harassment from female peers.

Digital violence is also on the rise, with 8.6 percent of students reporting victimization, a trend more pronounced among boys (10.3 percent) than girls (6.7 percent). Additionally, 10.5 percent of elementary school students reported receiving abusive online messages.

The findings from the HCTR’s report underscore the urgent need for intervention and reform to create safer educational environments for all students in Morocco.