^Yes, they definitely can.
I think that because of the way desi culture/society is constructed, young men become sexually frustrated and end up molesting young girls who are developing adult bodies but are not adult enough to protest. This is no way makes it right or justifies it.
In my case, he had actually planned to take me and my younger brother to an english children's movie back home...turned out that it was one of those dubbed in hindi and the theater was practically empty. Its very frustrating to know that I didnt have the guts to slap him or call attention to myself at that age.
Some of you said that 12 is not too young...certainly in the west, a 12 yr old has had far more exposure. When I was 12 or maybe I was 11, I knew some things, but not enough. And the novelty of the situation makes it harder to know how to react...I really didn't know or expect that I could ever be molested. When it happened, it was a shock. I felt frustrated and trapped. I still cringe when I think of the helplessness.
Nosherwan, come on, is it fair to say that only beyghairats let mullahs into their home? We are not born skeptic...such incidents make us aware.
Parents should not have an authoritarian relationship with their children and thankfully these days I don't see it happening much. Makes is easier to confide such things.
its beacause our parents avoid talking abt such thngs otherwise so many girls get puberity near 12 but moms let them learn by their own miserable experience than teach them how to stand up for themselves.but in west parents r more aware n even in school they teach them how to react n if they get the slightest doubt if a child is being molested by any living member social services get involved right away.So parents hav to keep alert at all costs.