Search
START TYPING AND PRESS ENTER TO SEARCH
Research Nugget

Child Sexual Abuse in South Africa: The role of parents, community leaders, educators, and social workers

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious violation of children’s rights and a major public health issue. It can cause long-lasting harm to a child’s development and well-being. In South Africa, one in three girls experiences sexual violence before the age of 18. Most cases are committed by people the child knows and trusts. However, cultural beliefs and economic pressures, especially when the abuser is a family breadwinner, often lead to silence and underreporting.

CSA is both a global and national crisis, with South Africa facing particularly high rates. Although various strategies have been introduced to address the problem, the response remains weak. Low levels of reporting, harmful social norms, and poor coordination among key role players such as parents, teachers, community leaders, and social workers continue to hinder progress. This highlights the urgent need to assess and strengthen the roles these stakeholders play to prevent child sexual abuse.

A research study funded by the NRF investigated this issue using a mixed-methods approach. Using structured questionnaires, researchers collected data from 115 respondents. They employed two sampling methods—stratified random sampling and purposive sampling—that targeted parents and community leaders (60 respondents); educators (25 respondents); and social workers (30 respondents). Additionally, the study included 15 in-depth interviews to support and enhance the survey findings. The researchers analysed the interview data using content analysis.

The main objectives of the study were to:

  1. Determine the involvement of parents and community leaders in preventing CSA.
  2. Explore the school system’s role in CSA prevention.
  3. Investigate the interventions of social workers in CSA prevention.

The research findings show that majority of participants (96.7%) agreed that parents need to be knowledgeable about CSA. Many affirmed that perpetrators are often known and trusted by the victims and their families. There was limited evidence of reporting to police, with some cases handled at community or traditional levels, especially when perpetrators were family members or breadwinners. Some respondents still held problematic beliefs, including the notion that family members or religious peers cannot perpetrate abuse. The role of community leaders was generally passive, with limited willingness to refer cases to law enforcement.

Schools were found to be crucial spaces for CSA prevention, with teachers discussing safe vs. unsafe touches; supporting affected learners; and encouraging reporting. Educators were generally willing to assist police with investigations. A significant barrier was the lack of training for educators to handle CSA cases appropriately, reflected by the lowest Likert score (mean: 1.40). A Likert score is a psychometric scale commonly used in research questionnaires that measures the level of disagreement or agreement with statements in a questionnaire.

Social workers were seen as key actors in CSA prevention through awareness campaigns, counselling, and support during police investigations. Social workers frequently conducted home visits, educated communities, and helped facilitate access to justice. Their roles extended to collaboration with schools, parents, and community structures, to reinforce a multi-disciplinary approach. The findings highlighted the need for a multi-sectoral response that strengthens collaboration among stakeholders, enhances public awareness, and equips educators and social workers with the necessary skills to respond to CSA.

The study concludes that, while parents, community leaders, educators, and social workers have critical roles to play in CSA prevention, several barriers continue to hinder effective response. These include cultural beliefs, lack of training among educators, and the reluctance of community leaders to escalate cases to formal justice systems.

Full Research Study
Close
Search

Hit enter to search or ESC to close