Child sexual abuse perpetrated by members of the immediate family in Mbare suburb

Abstract

The focus of this research was on exploring the phenomenon of child sexual abuse that is perpetrated by members of the immediate family. The research was inspired by the increasing incidence of children who are being sexually abused by members of the immediate family in Mbare and therefore sought to get an understanding of the dynamics and trends of the phenomenon. The descriptive research design was used in order to describe the situation of child sexual abuse that is perpetrated by the members of the immediate family within Mbare. An explanatory research design was also applied during the research in order to explain the phenomenon, with regards to the trends and dynamics involved. The study population comprised 15 participants who include social workers, health staff, and child survivors of sexual abuse, representatives from organisations and some members of the families of the children who had been sexually abused. The researcher employed interviews as a data collection instrument. In view of the interview responses, the research ascertained that indeed there are some members of the immediate family who are perpetrating abuse on children, and it is the girl child who is most affected. The study also found that children are mainly vulnerable because they are not very much aware of their rights. In light of this, the researcher outlined views from key respondents which are measures that should be taken to address problems at family level and also to raise the awareness of the general populace concerning child sexual abuse that is being perpetrated by members of the immediate family.