Childline south africa is a nonprofit organisation which works to protect children from violence and further the culture of childrens rights in south africa. Research bulletin centre for justice and crime prevention. Crime statistics series volume v statistics south africa. South african child gauge 2018 the south african child gauge is published annually by the childrens institute, university of cape town, to monitor progress towards realising childrens rights. Also termed maltreatment, health professionals need to know how to deal with it better. Child sexual abuse is any sexual acts, or attempts to commit sexual acts, with a child, with or without the childs consent. Statistics from the south african police service show there were more than 54,000 reported crimes against children between 1 april 2012 and 31 march 2011. Stories of child sex abuse in south africa human rights. About 15,504,200 of the population are children aged 014 years statistics south africa, 2010.
Research in the prosperous countries has moved to program evaluation, risk assessment, and. Initially seen as a social welfare issue and subsequently a problem of ageing, abuse of the elderly, like other forms of family violence, has developed into a public health and criminal justice concern. South africa has extremely high rates of both physical and sexual abuse of children. The heterogeneity of definitions of child sexual abuse is also reflected in the widely varied reactions, ranging from severe psychological impact to no evidence of negative psychological sequelae. Child welfare south africa child welfare south africa. Sexual abuse toward children and adolescents is a stark reality worldwide. According to the south african domestic violence act of 1998, domestic violence is. These are some of the shocking statistics that illustrate the extent of violence against women in south africa. Child abuse is a serious and devastating problem not just in africa, but the world over.
South africa has high levels of crime committed by children, particularly sexual crimes, and high levels of abuse of children in prison and secure care facilities for children. Inspired by her own experience of sexual abuse, one photojournalist began documenting the victims and the perpetrators. Poverty, patriarchy and gender violence, as well as the socialised obedience, dependency and silence of women and children, create conditions in conditions in which abuse can occur, often with few consequences. Introduction south africa is the southern most country in africa and has a population of approximately 38 million persons, distributed over nine provinces ranging in population from 746 000 northern cape to 7 672 000 kwazulunatal. Tracking child abuse cases through the child protection system in five selected sites in south africa.
Reducing violence against south african children is both a moral imperative. This research bulletin addresses the lifetime prevalence of violence against children, as reported by 1517 year old south africans. This article explores mandatory reporting legislation in an attempt to improve the reporting practices of healthcare professionals in south africa. Compelling or causing children to witness sexual offences, sexual acts or selfmasturbation. More recently, in 2015, a south african study reported lifetime rates of 34% for physical abuse, 16% for emotional abuse and 20% for sexual abuse amongst 1517 year olds 7. Child abuse is defined by the who as all forms of physical and emotional illtreatment, sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the child s health, development or dignity 1. Child abuse research in south africa is the journal of the south african society on the abuse of children and promotes academic and professional discourse amongst professionals involved in child care work in south africa. The legal system places unwarranted emphasis on the j88 form which is often unable to support the legal process. The earliest study of child sexual abuse in africa was probably by westcott, et al. As such, it presents an outrageous scourge that calls for greater attention, skills, resources and political support. The optimus study on child abuse, violence and neglect in south africa provides the firstever representative data in south africa on child maltreatment and exposure to other forms of violence.
South africa has an estimated population of close to 50 million people. Tackling child abuse and neglect in south africa scielo sa. One in every four women is physically abused by her intimate partner. Ispcan paper status of child abuse and neglect law and. Crime against women in south africa, 2018 report 034005 1. A recent costing study investigating the social burden and economic impact of violence against children in south africa found notable reductions to mental and physical health outcomes in the population if children were prevented from experiencing violence, neglect and witnessing family violence. Since 1994, south africa has put in place a comprehensive legal framework that defines a wide spectrum of abuse, and obliges government to establish a child protection system that provides services to manage abuse and maltreatment.
Poverty, patriarchy and gender violence, as well as the socialised obedience, dependency and silence of women and children, create conditions in which abuse can occur, often with few consequences. Legislation concerning mandatory reporting of child abuse in south africa has been in effect since 2010, with the promulgation of amendment 41 of 2007 to the childrens act of 2005. Four frightening facts about child sexual abuse in south africa. In addition to the crisis line telephone counseling service, childline also offers services. South africa on both incidence and prevalence of different forms of violence and mal treatment including sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect against children. South african child gauge 2018 children, families and the state. Resources aimed at the prevention of child abuse and neglect. This study reported on interviews that were conducted with 15 to 17 year olds about their lifetime experiences of. Since 1994, south africa has put in place a comprehensive legal framework that defines a wide spectrum of abuse, and obliges government to establish a. The optimus study south africa article pdf available in south african medical journal suidafrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde 10810. Forms of child sexual abuse include engaging in sexual activities with a child whether by asking or pressuring, or by other means, indecent exposure of the genitals, female nipples, etc.
The status of child abuse and neglect policy and child protection practice in south africa joan van niekerk, childline south africa introduction the advent of democracy in south africa in 1994 has resulted in numerous law and policy reform initiatives, especially in the field of child protection. Pdf mandatory reporting of child abuse in south africa. Child abuse can happen anywhere and child abusers come from all walks of life. We did a nationally representative crosssectional study of sexual abuse of children aged 1517 years in south africa. This issue focuses on children, families and the state. Legal framework south africa has committed to providing a child protection system that supports victims of child abuse. Brief overview of child maltreatment prevention and child protection in south africa. One category of wrongs is abuse, but it is not the only one. See other articles in pmc that cite the published article. Domestic violence and abuse in south africa family law. The world health organization who describes child abuse as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where theres an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress. Child maltreatment in south africa understand saferspaces. Violence against women in south africa a country in crisis 7 increased womens economic empowerment.
Pdf legislation concerning mandatory reporting of child abuse in south africa has been in effect since 2010, with the promulgation of amendment 41 of. It publishes highquality, peerevaluated, applied, multidisciplinary articles focusing on the theoretical, empirical and. This study reported on interviews that were conducted with 15 to 17 year olds about. In 2016, the firstever nationally representative study of child maltreatment in south africa was published, showing that over 40% of young people have experienced some form sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. Child sexual assault in south africa and risk for ptsd in south africa, the sexual assault of children is pervasive with 40% of reported cases involving girls below the age of 18. It publishes highquality, peerevaluated, applied, multidisciplinary articles focusing on the theoretical, empirical and methodological issues related to child abuse. A handbook for members of parliament 5 introduction s outh africa has enshrined childrens rights in the constitution act 108 of 1996, the supreme law of the country that was designed to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights of all people in the country. Rationale for a child maltreatment prevention readiness study in south africa, ethical. Sexually abused children have serious psychological. Bekhekile khuphe women and child abuse has been and still is a big problem in south africa as thousands of women and children fall victims every year. Every day, women are murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated by their partners, within their own homes. Exposure or display of pornography, or child pornography, to persons who are.
The optimus study south africa article pdf available in south african medical journal suid. In south africa the prevalence of child sexual abuse csa is high but the rate of successful prosecution is low. Child sexual abuse is a prevalent problem in south africa one in every three children is sexually abused before the age of 18. Recognising child abuse for pdf childline south africa. The optimus study on child abuse, violence and neglect in south. Childline runs a national, 24hour, tollfree telephone counselling service for children and adults, handling over 1 million calls annually. South african child gauge 2018 children, families and the. South africa has committed to providing a child protection system that supports victims of child abuse. Mandatory reporting of child abuse in south africa. The study is one of an international comparative series of studies, with previous studies. Pdf the prevalence of child sexual abuse in south africa. Sexual abuse sexual abuse is the most difficult form of abuse to deal with as it is so invasive. Mar 27, 2018 did you know that 1 in every 3 south african children are sexually abused before the age of 16 and the rate of sexual abuse of boys exceeds that of girls.
Haffejee 1991 described 37 cases 34 females and 3 males of child sexual abuse detected over a 6year period in a hospital in durban. Executive summary violence against women has received increasing national and international attention accompanied by calls for stringent measures to mitigate against this social ill. Gender differences in the risk for delinquency among youth exposed to family violence. Regarding allegations of child maltreatment, the childrens act no. The lack of access to financial resources and support is a central barrier to leaving abusive relationships or even reporting incidences of abuse, both of which are important in the fight against vaw. Mar 17, 2008 one category of wrongs is abuse, but it is not the only one.
This policy document has also gone through a lengthy process of development with work beginning in 1996. The prevalence of child sexual abuse in south africa. Definition of child abuse any interaction or lack of interaction by a parent or caretaker which results in the nonaccidental harm to the childs physical andor developmental state. Child abuse research in south africa is the journal of the south african society on the abuse of children and promotes academic and professional discourse amongst professionals involved in childcare work in south africa. Child maltreatment prevention readiness assessment. South africa has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence in the world. The statutory definition of rape in the 2007 sexual offences act includes all forms of sexual penetration and is genderneutral, meaning that any person can commit an act of rape or be raped. While small children, or even infants, can be victims of sexual abuse, the most common age of abuse seems to be preadolescence. According to the independent democrat id website, one in every three women will be raped once in their. Child abuse is disturbingly common in south africa sa. Child sexual abuse, also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Every six hours, a woman is killed by her current or former intimate partner. And, sadly, domestic violence is the most common and widespread human rights abuse in south africa. According to the independent democrat id website, one in every three women will be raped once in their lifetime.