According to the II National Survey of Sexual and Reproductive Health (II ENSSSR-15), guaranteeing the right to live free and without sexual violence is still a challenge for Costa Rican society.
Harassment and abuse in public and private spaces still exists, especially against women.
Women were asked if they had been touched, harassed, intimidated, if they were even offered a gift in exchange of sex or if they were manipulated and blackmailed,
declared Edda Quirós, coordinator of the survey.
The results were:
-21% of women between 15 and 34 years old have accepted job offers, money, clothes or other privileges in exchange for sex.
-12% also reported having been physically forced to have sex against their will.
-10% agreed to have sex, at least once, for fear of reprisals.
It was also found that men reported unwanted caresses.
The most common forms of violence are still the flirtatious glances, expressions or compliments, sexist jokes and comments on the body or dress.
Quiros concluded on the need for empowerment of children regarding sexual violence from different areas, such as education and family.