PERCEPTION and ATTITUDES Sexual Relation The taboo on sex outside marriage and pregnancy: Children's curiosity about sexuality emerges very early and is part of healthy physical and mental development. However, due to the taboo on sexuality in conservative societies, children are often not provided with child development and age-appropriate education that provides accurate and safe information to satisfy their curiosity. In addition, children living in one-room houses or temporary settlements with their parents or other adults due to poverty and deprivation may witness the sexual behaviour of adults, and this experience may even become traumatic for them. The fact that sexual intercourse and pregnancy without the bonds of marriage or without marriage are seen as a taboo, not accepted, resulting in stigmatisation, exclusion, neglect and violence due to reasons such as being excluded from the society, being shamed, being the subject of gossip, losing the support of the extended family, going against religious teachings, etc. is also a proof that children and women do not have a say over their own bodies and lives. This attitude also leads to the marriage of girls who have sexual intercourse or become pregnant as a result of this intercourse. Girls who engage in sexual activity are probably afraid that their family will learn about it. This fear may also result in the girl wanting to marry the partner as quick as possible. Abduction / Elopement There have been cases of abduction of women since ancient times and it is even a ‘tradition’ in countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. There is a significant difference between abduction and elopement. A relationship that the family does not approve and will not allow marriage may cause elopement, or the man abducts the woman he wants to marry and forces her into marriage. In both cases, since the woman/girl child will be away from home, families may feel obliged to approve the marriage with the thought that she may have ‘lost her virginity’ by having sexual intercourse during this period.[26] [26] Flying Broom Association, Child, Early and Forced Marriages Typology (2024) 44