Primary school teachers’ perceptions of child sexual abuse in a Gauteng District

Abstract

This study sets out to explore the perceptions of life orientation teachers of child sexual abuse (CSA) in primary schools. Teachers in this study consist of a selection of Life Orientation teachers who are normally involved in the management of CSA. Child sexual abuse is a widespread problem in schools not only in South Africa, but internationally. The topic is relevant today because child sexual abuse has many negative, physical, emotional, psychological and educational consequences. One of the most significant problems children face today is the threat of sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is a global phenomenon that is regarded as one of the greatest social problems of the 21st century. Learners are at risk of sexual abuse by teachers, scholar patrollers, family members and community members. Child sexual abuse in schools is defined by the study as the unwelcome contact or non-contact sexual behaviour on a learner. There is a perception that most victims of child sexual abuse are young children and do not report sexual abuse because they are afraid to expose their perpetrators. The study will benefit children in primary schools at informal settlements and in Gauteng East because learners will be equipped with information that child sexual abuse is against their rights and perpetrators must be reported without fear. Most child sexual abuse is not reported; detected or prosecuted hence as a priority we must identify and protect children who are being sexually abused or are at risk of sexual abuse. My choice of qualitative approach was influenced by the work I am doing presently at school. The researcher used pseudonyms not actual names when describing schools’ names. I am working as a teacher at a Primary School in Slovo-Park, Springs, in Gauteng East, Gauteng Province. In this study, the design and methods on perceptions of selected stakeholders on child sexual abuse are discussed. The study explains why the explorative qualitative research design and interpretative paradigm were adopted to assess the perceptions of the participants on child sexual abuse. The researcher explains the interview technique as a data gathering tool used. In addition, the description of the ethical considerations that guided the researcher during data collection from the participants is described. The study focused on a small number of 9 Life Orientation teachers in order to provide in-depth, detailed information about perceptions of sexual abuse in schools. In this study the researcher used Bronfenbrenner’s ecological system’s model. These systems are; (1) The Microsystem; (2) The Mesosystem; (3) Exosystem ;( 4) The Macro system; (5) Chronosystem. These interrelated contexts as well as the individual setting can therefore be used to form an understanding of the contexts and settings involved in forming the perceptions of Life Orientation teachers. The researcher used purposive sampling to select both schools and participants. In addition, from each school three (3) Life Orientation teachers were selected making a total of 9 participants from the schools. Data was collected from 9 participants, namely 9 Life Orientation teachers selected purposefully because these teachers are mainly involved in life skills and Life Orientation and were trained in the area and they have continuous contact and knowledge of learners who may be at risk of child sexual abuse. Findings indicate that child sexual abuse impacts negatively on the emotional health, physical health, and academic achievement of the abused learner.