A Call for Social Work Intervention to Address the Phenomenon of Child Sexual Abuse against Learners in South African Schools: A Review of the Literature

Daniel Tuelo Masilo

doi:10.5539/gjhs.v11n12p152

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is undoubtedly one of the social problems negatively affecting children in South Africa. Everyday reports in research and different media platforms such as radio, television, social media and newspapers suggest that sexual abuse of children and those attending school, has reached unprecedented proportions. Within the school setting, it is reported that school-based employees such as teachers, security personel and gardeners are alleged to be the perpetrators of this heinous crime against children. The purpose of this paper through the literature review methodology, is to highlight the phenomenon of CSA perpetrated against learners in the South African schools and indicate how the social work profession may intervene. To this end, this paper calls social workers to intervene by means of educating learners on child sexual abuse, establishing and strengthening the childcare and protection forums, engaging parents, guardians and lastly facilitating dialogues with the school-based employees. These interventions will go a long way in addressing the phenomenon of CSA, and most importantly, protecting the rights of children as the most vulnerable group in societies.

Highlights

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is undoubtedly one of the social problems negatively affecting children in South Africa
Everyday reports in research and different media platforms such as radio, television, social media and newspapers suggest that sexual abuse of children and those attending school, has reached unprecedented proportions
This paper has argued that CSA concerns the social work profession, and to this end, it is imperative that social workers should intensify their interventions in order to win the fight against this heinous crime against children

Summary

Introduction

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is undoubtedly one of the social problems negatively affecting children in South Africa. The Minister of Police in South Africa, Mr Bheki Cele in his brief to the Parliament on 12 September 2019, pointed out that of the reported sexual assaults, 46.5% were against children during the 2018/19 financial year (Nicolson & Mafolo, 2019). These statistics may be even higher since not all the cases of sexual abuse against children are reported due to the non-disclosure by children, and this may be due to the fact that the perpetrators threaten children. A classical case of a learner that was ignored by the school principal after reporting sexual abuse was noted in the Gauteng province of South Africa (Phagane, 2019)

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