Educator's knowledge of and opinions on child sexual abuse
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Authors
Ratlhagane, Kgomotso J.
Issue Date
2009-08
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Religious studies and Arabic , Prevalent rate , Incident rate , Perpetrator , Survivors of sexual abuse , Behavioral signs , Informed consent , Operational age , Disclosure , Theories of child sexual abuse , Sexual gratification
Alternative Title
Abstract
Sexual abuse of children occurs at a very high rate and most of the victims are young
children who have never been taught about the possibility of being abused. Victims of
abuse are not equipped with appropriate knowledge and vocabulary to enable them to
explain properly when they experience abuse. Acquisition of a vocabulary and
understanding of the concepts of sexuality would assist children in recognizing, resisting
and reporting sexual abuse. The young age at which abuse occurs makes the study at
primary school level important and relevant.
There is little literature on how child sexual abuse can be identified, addressed and
handled by schools or what unique role the school should play in the management of child
sexual abuse cases. Educators are in a position to identify sexually abused children
because of their close and ongoing contact with school-going children. Therefore, young
children place a great deal of trust in their teachers and look to them for protection when
they feel unsafe. Teachers are trained to observe changes in the appearance and
progress of individual children. Therefore, they can also assist in uncovering and reacting
appropriately to disclosures of abuse.
The study was conducted in poor, disadvantaged, rural primary schools in a part of the
North West Province. There is a limited access to social work services in rural areas and
therefore, educators are considered to be appropriate people to educate children about
sexual abuse issues because children spend most of their time at school. There is a
relationship between educators, parents and children which creates a proper channel of
communicating information about sexual abuse of children. That is, educators are in a
position not only to educate but also to reinforce what children have learnt at home.
Educators' role have been limited in the identification and dealing with sexual abuse cases
and therefore, there is a need to empower them with appropriate knowledge and skills to
enable them to handle sexual abuse cases at school level successfully.
Description
Citation
Ratlhagane, Kgomotso J. (2009) Educator's knowledge of and opinions on child sexual abuse, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/612>