Psychosocial effects of child sexual abuse on the holistic development of the girl child in Zimbabwe
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Date
2021
Authors
Mugabe, Miriam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This study examined the psychosocial effects of child sexual abuse on the holistic development of the girl child, with the aim of suggesting sound preventive and protective measures that can be taken to mitigate the problems of child sexual abuse among Form Two learners in Gokwe District, Zimbabwe. Child sexual abuse has devastating, lifelong effects on girl victims, generating great anguish and causing disruption to their lives. This research was informed by Ellis Rational Behavioural therapy, Erikson’s psychosocial theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. In this study, a qualitative phenomenological design was used, with in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions as data collection instruments from ten Form Two learners, two teachers, two headmasters and one police officer. The participants were purposively sampled. An inductive approach to analysing the responses to interviews and focus groups was undertaken to allow patterns, themes, and categories to emerge. Cultural and religious practices, poverty and HIV/AIDS were noted as the main factors which exacerbated the problem of child sexual abuse among learners. Generally, the learners who participated in this study pointed out that their perpetrators were not strangers but close family members, teachers, neighbours, care givers and respected people in the community. Findings of this study also revealed that child sexual abuse affects the moral, physical, cognitive/intellectual, emotional, social and behavioural development of form two girl learners, impacting on their academic performance, health and their survival. This study recommended that there is need for the government to introduce strict laws on offenders of child sexual abuse. There is need for all stakeholders, including the government, to address the root causes of child sexual abuse (such as poverty, cultural and religious factors, neglect, traditional myths and divorce). In addition, communities should be educated and conscientised on the dangers of child sexual abuse.
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Keywords
Thesis (Ph.D. (Educational Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2021, Child sexual abuse, Psychosocial, Holistic, Cognitive, Emotional, Personality and behavioural development