Sexual Abuse In South Africa Research Articles

Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa: Assessing the Role of Parents, Community Leaders, Educators, and Social Workers

Child sexual abuse is a global problem and is prevalent in South Africa. Child sexual abuse significantly harms the victims. This study looked at child sexual abuse prevention, focusing on the community, school system, and social workers. A mixed methods research method was used. Data were collected from 115 questionnaire respondents, of which 15 in-depth interview participants were selected. The sample was selected using purposive sampling and stratified random sampling techniques. Low reporting of incidents is hindering the effective response to child sexual abuse. The study revealed the significant role parents and community members could play in preventing child sexual abuse. The results also show that the school system plays a crucial role in educating children about inappropriate touches, discussing prevention skills with children, and encouraging children to report incidents of child sexual abuse. The study found that limited training for educators was a significant obstacle in the school system. Social workers play their part through advocacy and awareness campaigns and assisting the police during investigations. The study recommends a multi-sectorial approach to encourage reporting of child sexual abuse cases and training educators on responding to child sexual abuse.

Stigmatized Loss in Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse in South Africa

This study employed qualitative secondary analysis of transcriptions of 16 group treatment sessions with 18 women (average age 30.5 years) who participated in the Survivor to Thriver (S2T) collaborative strengths-based group intervention program for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in South Africa. Applying an analytical framework, inductive thematic analysis was performed. One immediate loss, namely loss of childhood innocence, and two ongoing losses, the loss of how to interconnect and loss of living life to the fullest, were identified in the data. Findings correlate with studies in developed countries and may contribute to the global knowledge base on this topic and inform further treatment practice. Practice implications and limitations are discussed.

A longitudinal perspective on boys as victims of childhood sexual abuse in South Africa: Consequences for adult mental health.

Childhood sexual abuse of boys was examined in a longitudinal cohort in South Africa, with data on abuse collected at six age points between 11 and 18 years. Potential personal and social vulnerability of male sexual abuse victims was explored and mental health outcomes of sexually abused boys were examined at age 22-23 years. Reports of all sexual activity - touching, oral and penetrative sex - increased with age and sexual coercion decreased with age. Almost all sexual activity at 11 years of age was coerced, with the highest rates of coercion occurring between 13 and14 years of age; 45% of reports of coerced touching were reported at age 14, 41 percent of coerced oral sex at age 13, and 31% of coerced penetrative sex at age 14. Sexual coercion was perpetrated most frequently by similar aged peers, and although gender of the assailant was less often reported, it can be presumed that perpetration is by males. Boys who experienced childhood sexual abuse tended to be smaller (shorter) and from poorer families. No relationships to measured childhood intelligence, pubertal stage, marital status of mother or presence of the father were found. There was no significant association between reports of childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adulthood and when personal and social vulnerabilities were taken into account.

Delaying Pre-trial Therapy to Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: An Unfounded Prevailing Culture in South Africa?

Due to the statutory obligation to report child sexual abuse to the authorities, children in South Africa are increasingly called to testify in criminal proceedings. A recent qualitative study found that South African parents and social workers are often advised by legal professionals to postpone pre-trial therapy (therapy provided to child witnesses prior to testimony) until after the child’s testimony, based on concerns that therapy could contaminate the child’s version of events, and might ultimately lead to an acquittal of the accused. In this study, the authors analysed selected authoritative documents to explore whether or not any directives exist in respect of the provision of pre-trial therapy to child victims of sexual abuse in South Africa. Our findings suggest that none of the authoritative documents included in our document review specifically mention the rendering of pre-trial therapy to child victims of sexual abuse. Recommendations for policy reform and research are made.

Social workers’ views on pre-trial therapy in cases of child sexual abuse in South Africa

This study sought to explore anecdotal reports that social workers in South Africa are often advised to postpone therapy with child complainants of sexual abuse until after the child's testimony, based on concerns of legal professionals that therapeutic interventions could influence the child's testimony. Applying purposive sampling and a qualitative research study, individual and focus group interviews were conducted with 18 social workers and one psychologist that provide therapeutic services to child complainants of sexual abuse in the Gauteng province. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and independently analyzed by both researchers, performing thematic analysis. Emerging themes include a lack of directives in terms of the provision of pre-trial therapy for child victims of sexual abuse, current practices and challenges in this regard. Recommendations for the way forward are presented. Limitations and future research will be discussed.

Family Resilience Resources in Coping With Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa

The aim of this qualitative study was to identify resources of family resilience that help families cope with child sexual abuse. Data were collected from a purposeful sample of parents representing nine poor families living in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The narratives of the participants were analyzed thematically. The results indicate that the families, despite adverse situations, utilized internal and external resilience resources. Internal resources were the parents’ relationship with their children, their own emotional functioning and attitudes, the children’s ability to cope with the abuse, boundaries in the family, insight into their children’s emotional needs, and sibling relationships. External family resources were the support of extended family members, friends, and a local community-based nonprofit organization working with child sexual abuse and schools. The empowering role of the identified resources for family resilience should be enhanced in interventions, while future studies could further explore these aspects in families confronted with child sexual abuse.

CHILD-ON-CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: RESULTS OF A SURVEY IN JOHANNESBURG

Child-on-child sexual abuse in South Africa has been recognised only recently as a significant social problem, reflected in the dearth of research on the topic. There is also a lack of evidence in South Africa on the extent of abuse and issues that relate to youth sex offending (Ehlers & Wood, 2001; Mbambo, 2002). It is difficult to establish the extent of either child-on-child or child-on-adult sex offending in South Africa, because not all of these cases are reported or recorded (Stout, 2003). It is estimated, however, that 42% of sexual offences reported to Childline, a national help-line providing crisis intervention services, are committed by other children (Vanzant, 2004) and the latest statistics available from the Department of Correctional Services (2007) show that on 31 January 2007 a total of 288 children were in prison for crimes of a sexual nature. It was reported in the Pretoria News that in South Africa a daily average of 82 children were charged for indecently assaulting or raping other children (Maughan, 2006:1). There is also a dearth of empirical international research and literature on the origins of child-on-child sexual abuse (Lightfoot & Evans, 2000).

Legal professionals’ views on pre-trial therapy in cases of child sexual abuse in South Africa

The aim of this study is to report on a preliminary qualitative inquiry into the views of legal professionals in South Africa regarding pre-trial therapy for victims of child sexual abuse (CSA). Applying purposive and snowball sampling, 15 experienced state prosecutors, presiding officers of criminal courts, and defence attorneys and advocates in the Gauteng Province were interviewed. Primary themes were identified in the data, namely: therapy is crucial, but the timing thereof is a contentious aspect, due to the ripple effect that contamination of the child's evidence could have and there are no directives regarding pre-trial therapy in South Africa. The results suggest conflict in the criminal justice system between the constitutional rights of the accused and that of the alleged victim of CSA. We recommend that ways should be explored to provide pre-trial therapy for victims of CSA that will not affect the integrity of the legal case.

Exploring Mental Health Adjustment of Children Post Sexual Assault in South Africa

Large numbers of children are affected by child sexual abuse in South Africa. This study aimed to assess psychological adjustment of children post sexual assault. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with caretakers, and structured interviews using mental health assessment screening tools were given to children at three intervals over a five-month period after presentation at a sexual assault center. Almost half of the children met clinical criteria for anxiety, and two-thirds met criteria for full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder two to four weeks post disclosure. With standard care, we observed some recovery; 43.3% of children still met full symptom post-traumatic stress disorder nearly six months postdisclosure. Our findings indicate that current practice in South Africa does not promote adequate recovery for children.

Madness and defence: Interventions with sexually abused children in a low-income South African community

Aim: North American, British and European research on child sexual abuse is voluminous yet inadequate for grappling with such abuse in South Africa. Beyond these confines, one can begin to understand the experiences of sexually abused children in low-income communities and of those who help them. The research aims: to communicate the immediacy of child sexual abuse; to present findings for a South African conceptualisation thereof in order to intervene effectively in impoverished communities; to consider defences invoked during such work; and to resonate in some way with readers working in situations of poverty and trauma all over the world. Method: Therapy sessions between sexually abused children and a social worker were observed, transcribed and analysed; the social worker was interviewed; and the children’s documented file material was analysed. The study employs an explorative and descriptive ethnographic research method. Data were analysed by means of the case study method and thematic analysis. Findings: Various ironies inherent in working with child sexual abuse surfaced, and factors that contextualise experiences of child sexual abuse in South Africa were identified. Multiple traumas emerged from pervasive, violent impoverishment. Conclusion: The research encourages a recontextualised frame of reference, reports on helpful community interventions, and furthers emergent South African child sexual abuse work.

Child Sexual Abuse Workers’ Emotional Experiences of Working Therapeutically in the Western Cape, South Africa

South African child sexual abuse workers active in low-income communities bear witness to stories of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, pervasive deprivation, and violence. North American, British, and European workers’ emotional experiences have been captured in the literature, and a gap remains to be filled by those of their South African colleagues. This research aims to focus on the emotional experiences of social workers who engage therapeutically with sexually abused children in the Helderberg basin of the Western Cape, and resonate in some way with readers working in situations of poverty and trauma in other parts of the world. This study employed an explorative inductive research method, and followed a critical realist and contextual constructionist approach. Multiple-case study data collection took place by means of semi-structured interviews with social workers who engage therapeutically with sexually abused children. Data were examined by means of thematic analysis, and psychoanalytic theory was employed to analyse defences that surfaced during interviews. There were similarities in emotional experiences between South African participants and their abovementioned counterparts. The research also identified salient features of working with child sexual abuse in South Africa. The emotional experiences of doing such work, coupled with participants’ ways of managing sexually abused children’s material, gave rise to possible vicarious traumatisation symptoms and allowed for a psychoanalytic understanding to be put forward. The research also reports on useful measures that might enable individuals to continue interventions. To enable ongoing effective therapeutic engagement, social workers should have access to opportunities for acknowledging countertransferences and processing dynamic material defended against. The research contributes to knowledge of working in South Africa by exploring the emotional experiences of those who help sexually abused children daily, and by investigating the psychological impact prolonged therapeutic engagement has on workers active in Western Cape low-income communities.

A protocol for the empowerment of non-offending parents to report child sexual abuse

The prevalence of child sexual abuse in South Africa is very high, and even though the reporting of child sexual abuse is legislated by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (32 of 2007), the rate at which sexual abuse is reported is alarmingly low. Based on experiences obtained in private practice, it is the researcher's opinion that many parents are concerned about the possibility of their child being abused, or have knowledge that their child is being sexually abused, but fail to report it. This article focuses on these parents' experiences of this devastating process in order to explore and describe an appropriate protocol that will empower non-offending parents to report child sexual abuse. To achieve the abovementioned objectives, a qualitative research design through the utilization of case studies was employed. Ten interviews and a focus group were conducted during which an interview schedule focussing on the parents' reactions, perceived support, and experiences of reporting was explored. Ethical considerations were included during this process. After this data was analysed, it was compared with applicable literature and a proposed protocol was formulated. This proposed protocol can be used by health professionals to empower parents to report and will contribute to the intervention strategies in forensic investigations.

An alternative placement as an effective measure for easing negative consequences of child sexual abuse

The removal of children from their homes in case of sexual abuse by a close relative or neighbour may be criticized as increasing their level of distress. However reports by 22 young survivors of child sexual abuse in South Africa proved otherwise. The findings revealed that alternative placement (especially a welfare institution) could help in facilitating recovery from the negative consequences of child sexual abuse because it permits separation from the abusers, a place where the abuse had occurred and from people who reacted negatively towards them after disclosure. When removed to alternative placements, their sense of security increased and they also they benefit from the presence of additional support received from agencies and community members who provided volunteer services to the welfare agencies. They also had access to professional therapy. The recommendation is that alternative placement ease negative consequences of child sexual abuse, however it should not be prolonged. It could be effective if it is accompanied by regular home visits during weekends and holidays. Also, non-abusive family members should be encouraged to visit the child in an alternative placement. While removed from their homes, their safety should not in any way be threatened and they should receive proper treatment from care workers. The findings reported in this paper were obtained by means of in-depth interviews conducted on one-to-one basis with young survivors recruited at welfare institutions in South Africa by means of snowballing. Participants were in the age range of 16-23 years, and belonged to three racial groups in South Africa: White, Coloured (mixed race) and Blacks. All children have been sexually abused by either a close relative or a neighbour. They were 21 females and a male.

Educational Resilience Among African Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa

The literature covering child sexual abuse within the South African context, though substantial, has ignored issues of resilience, especially relating to the victim’s racial background. Particular reference is made to the victim’s ability to draw on elements relating to his or her cultural upbringing—socialization and identification. Using three cases (ages 16 to 23 years old) drawn from a major study that investigated the educational implications of child sexual abuse in South Africa, the article presents Black female survivors who experienced educational resilience regardless of having been sexually abused, and other contributory factors that could have driven them to react otherwise. Educational resilience is evident in the following ways: (a) participants’ interpretations of their experience, (b) behavior exhibited at school, (c) determination to succeed, and (d) educational and career aspirations. These responses are then related to the identification and socialization of people of African ancestry living in South Africa. Data were obtained by means of a series of in-depth interviews conducted with each participant, conducted on a one-on-one basis.

Researching Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa: Complexities in the Field

This study reports on my fieldwork experiences applying qualitative research strategies to study child sexual abuse in South Africa. It considers the challenges associated with, at three stages of data collection: ethical clearance, recruitment and data collection, followed by possible solutions. The study also considers the challenges from ethical and epistemological perspectives. I used a reflective self-study to analyse my experiences. My experiences revealed the following challenges: ethical process due to reasons not linked to the content of the research process would cause delays to the field-work. In addition, the use of [formal institutions] welfare institutions as sole research sites would result in a homogenous sample that does not permit comparison of experiences among the abuse cases. The costs to the researcher in terms of emotional and physical investment can be significant.

Power of discourse and discourse of power in making an issue of sexual abuse in South Africa: The rise and fall of social problems

(1993). Power of discourse and discourse of power in making an issue of sexual abuse in South Africa: The rise and fall of social problems. Critical Arts: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 1-26.