***Appologies if this is to graphic***
I returned from Afghanisan in April, 2010. I have witnessed the "Man Love Thursdays" / "Orange Thursdays" first hand. Within the A.O. I opperated (Helmend Prov: NowZad, Gullistan, Dahanna, BarNowZad, BujiBast Pass, Sangin area.) the locals would paint a child(s) hands and/or hair orange, indicating that he (sometimes she) was the pre-determined child for the molestation. Having an extended medical knowledge, from my role in the military, I personally would be (when not on missions) involved with MassCas/Triage. Periodically, we would see small childeren (5-10 years old) brought to us at our FOB/ Aid Station with bleeding and trauma in their rectal / vaginal areas, along with various other physical injuries consistant with beatings (Blunt force trauma to the head, broken ribs, fractured pelvises) . Most of the childeren that came to us were in need of immediate medical attention and usually where MEDEVAC'ed to a facility that could deal with stabilization and surgery. Some victims were denied MEDEVAC and we would do the best possible for them including administering sutures, re-hydration and what ever was nessesary. Some of the childeren ( I can recall two boys 6-8yo) brought to us had expired from their injuries before they could be saved.
The inhabitants of this region do not look at this as immoral. Women are viewed as such, that they are only needed/ intended for reproduction. Small childeren, adult men and livestock (goats, sheep, chickens, ect.) are utilized for sexual pleasure. Childern in this region are forced/ brainwashed into doing a number of things that childeren in elsewhere wolud never be subjected to. The mollestation is just one of those things. Engaging coalition forces with DF weapons, SVIED's, Insallation of IED's, recconaisance of coalition forces and running ive ordenances like mortars to mortar teams that don't want to endanger themselves. These are also things I have witnessed first hand.
This is a real travisty. As a father of two (I have an 8yo. and a 20mo old) I don't attempt to understand this type of cultural behavior. INHO this is wrong on so many levels. But, it is the reality of life in Afghanistan, comat zones and throughout the Middle East. I have also seen similar behaior in Iraq and neighboring countries. However, not in the extent witnessed in Afghanistan.
Again I appologise if this was to graphic. We are all adults here and I thought that my insight may help answer the question that was asked.
Respectfully,
USMC_0317_SS