The problem: The study of child abuse in South Africa has concentrated on management issues, and the epidemiology of child abuse and neglect has yet to be determined. Child abuse intervention programmes are based on data from studies conducted in the United States and Europe. Over the past few years practitioners in the field have expressed the need for local information to be available in order to plan future child protection programmes. A review of the literature reveals that the medico-legal model developed in the United States and the United Kingdom, based on investigation, is under strain due to the large number of reported cases of child abuse. Aims: The study aims to compare the data collected with that reported in the literature. The specific research questions include: • Can the characteristics of abused children in Cape Town be determined? • Do the characteristics of child abuse and neglect in Cape Town differ from those reported in the literature? • Should and can a child abuse reporting system be developed and implemented? • Can prevention and intervention strategies be developed based on the epidemiological data that has been collected? • Can the study in Cape Town provide an impetus for further research in the field of child abuse and neglect? • Can the results provide the basis for a National Plan of Action on child abuse and neglect? Methodology Following extensive consultation in with professionals and practitioners in the field, a child abuse reporting system was established in Cape Town, South Africa. Clear definitions of child abuse and neglect were agreed upon, and for the period October 1993 to May 1995 practitioners in the field reported all cases of child abuse and neglect to a central reporting centre. The data was entered on to a computer and analysed by the researcher. Results • The overall picture of child protection in Cape Town: • Child abuse and neglect primarily affects females in the Cape Town area; • younger children are more likely to be physically abused or neglected; • older children are more likely to be sexually abused. • Characteristics of the children abused, in particular, the differences between male and female children: • Females are at a high risk of child sexual abuse, • Males are more prone to physical abuse. • There is an absence of reported fatal child abuse. • Profile of the alleged perpetrator: • most of the abuse is either intra-familial, or inflicted by a person known to the child. • The geographical distribution of child abuse: • the distribution of abuse is influenced by the reporting agencies. In this study the incidence of reported child abuse and neglect is predominantly from the Cape Flats areas, though this does not reflect the rate of reported child abuse and neglect. • Action is taken by child protection agencies: • the majority of reported child abuse and neglect is managed by social service agencies; • the police do not investigate child reported child abuse and neglect in the majority of cases. • Comparison with the literature: • The characteristics of reported child abuse differ from that in the literature. • Child physical abuse is under-reported in comparison to other countries. • Rates of reported child sexual abuse are higher than those reported in the literature. Conclusions and recommendations Child abuse is an important problem in Cape Town, and in South Africa as a whole. The required response to this phenomenon is the development of an appropriate Child Protection Service, based on the concept of the prevention of child abuse and neglect, rather than on a reaction to abuse already present. This involves consideration of the data in this study and other studies, as well as examination of the philosophy behind the Child Protection Service to be set up. This approach can be adapted in other countries.

The study sets out to test the hypothesis that the families of physically abused children will show significant differences regarding their psychological, psychiatric and psychosocial characteristics when compared to families who do not have an abused child. The Index group was formed from 49 physically abused Coloured children and their families who were referred to the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in 1977. The ages of the children ranged from 5 months to 13 years, and 4 died as a result of their injuries. The Control group comprised 24 Coloured children (and their families) who were attending the hospital as outpatients over the same time period, and who were ill enough to be kept for overnight observation in the Emergency Ward. The two groups were matched for social class, age of the child and the marital status of the mother. The Index child was examined by a Paediatrician, and medical investigations requested when indicated. The following schedules were completed during the course of structured interviews with both groups of parents: The Circumstances of Injury/Illness Schedule, The Childrearing Attitudes Schedule and the Psychiatric Interview Schedule (which included a mental state examination). The Psychosocial Interview Schedule and an abbreviated IQ test were administered to the mothers only. The major significant finding of the study was the presence of abnormal personality functioning and psychiatric disorders of parents in nearly all the Index families. The type of psychiatric disorder was characteristically a neurosis in the mothers and personality disorders with alcohol and drug abuse, and criminality, in the fathers. The manifestations of the abnormal personalities of the Index parents included the use of regular physical punishment by the Index mothers, the repetitive physical abuse not only of the Index child but also of his siblings, and physical violence towards adults, especially of the Index fathers towards the Index mothers; the premarital conception of the Index child, the numbers of children of both Index parents by previous liaisons, and the lack of family cohesiveness of the Index parents; the loneliness of the Index mothers and their poor self-esteem; the financial debts of the Index families; and marital dysharmony. The Index families appeared to be of substantially lower social class than the general Coloured population of Cape Town. The following characteristics appeared to be associated with their low social class: low income, poor housing, unemployment, illegitimacy, teenage pregnancies, poor educational achievement and low IQ. Because of the matching for social class these characteristics were found to occur as commonly in the Control group. It was concluded that a combination of abnormal personalities and psychiatric disorders in the parents, factors associated with low social class, and marital dysfunction was the main etiological mechanism in the physical abuse of the Index children. The present study confirmed the finding of others that what distinguishes abusive parents from non-abusive parents is not so much the presence of specific abnormal childrearing practices or disturbances in particular parent-child relationships as the presence of a general disturbance of personality functioning and mental health. In other words, child abuse is only one of many deviant kinds of behaviour manifested by the parents of multi-problem families.

The sexual abuse of children has become recognised as a major problem affecting children in most, if not all, countries of the world. The prevention of such abuse has, in the last decade, become an issue of international significance. In South Africa, prevention efforts are mainly informal ad hoc strategies initiated by individuals or organisations. As such they suffer from being short-lived and often isolated. Prevention efforts fall into the general categories of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Primary prevention focuses on preventing abuse from occurring at all. There are two main aspects to this type of prevention. The first aims at teaching children to protect themselves. The second aims at preventing the development of a disposition to abuse. This study set out to suggest and justify the adoption of a national strategy appropriate to the South African situation, including an overview of what can be done through the schooling system. This strategy will provide a framework and context for individual efforts, and hopefully stimulate new programmes. In addition, a detailed prevention programme for implementation in the secondary school, through the medium of the subject Guidance, was developed. This programme addressed itself mainly to that primary aspect of prevention concerned with preventing people from developing a disposition to abuse. The programme consists of lesson plans, teacher's notes and worksheet materials for pupils.

Assessment tools have been used for various purposes, including for protecting children from maltreatment. The main aim of this study was to to evaluate and determine the relevance of the Family Assessment for Leased Developed Countries (FALDC) assessment tool for child protection services in the Eastern Cape Province. The research was conducted using the social developmental welfare approach (Patel, 2005) and ecological systems theory (Healy, 2005). The study made use of the qualitative research method; in doing so the study made use of the case study design. In using the qualitative research method, focus group discussions were conducted with 29 social workers involved in child protection services. The findings of the study indicated that the FALDC assessment tool provides information useful for child protection services even though it contains sections that are regarded as less relevant to child protection. The study also founded that the FALDC assessment tool is relevant to child protection in the South African context, yet it needs to be aligned so that it provides much of the information desired by those involved in child protection. A conclusion drawn from this study is that the FALDC assessment tool appears to be relevant for child protection services. The FALDC assessment tool needs to be adjusted taking into consideration other aspects important to child protection in the South African child protection context.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / The present study explores, through means of a selective literature study and the presentation of a descriptive single case study, whether fairy tales can be used as a viable medium or tool in therapeutic work with children. This involves an examination of a central debate between theoretical perspectives that advocate an understanding of fairy tales based on their intrinsic or absolute meaning or those that view fairy tales from a relational perspective where meaning is consensually negotiated and validated through its interpersonal locatedness. A single descriptive case study, in which fairy tale telling was a feature of a therapeutic case conducted with a five-year-old client at a children's home, is presented and evaluated in light of the literature reviewed. It was found that themes similar to those reflected in the review of the literature were present and evidenced by the therapist involved wi th the clinical case study. These themes are conceptualised using a constructivist framework that offers an integrative conceptualisation accommodating both intrapsychic as well as inter-personal theoretical distinctions.

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo sengulusa u tambudzwa ha vhana kha maṅwalwa a Tshivenḓa. U tambudzwa ha vhana a zwo ngo thoma ṋamusi nahone ndi zwithu zwi sa ṱanganedzei kha tshitshavha, tshi tou vha tshilonda tshine na u phuphwa tshi sa fhole kana yone tsilingwane. Kha ngudo iyi ho senguluswa u tambudzwa ha vhana nga nḓila dzo fhambanaho, zwi ṱuṱuwedzaho u tambudza vhana, masianditwa a u tambudzwa na zwiga tsumba zwa u tambudzwa ha vhana. Mawanwa o sumba uri vhana vha a tambudzwa lwa muhumbulo, u tambudzwa ha vhuvha na u tambudzwa nga u sa londwa kha bugu dzo topolwaho. Ṱhoḓisiso iyi yo wana uri vhana vha tambudzwaho lwa muhumbulo, nga u sa londwa na u tambudzwa lwa vhuvha vha lingedza nga nḓila dzoṱhe u shavha hayani, vha a ṱoḓa na u ḓivhulaha, vha dzula vho bilufhala na mashumele avho zwikoloni a a tsela fhasi ane a sa vhe maitele avhuḓi. Mawanwa o dovha hafhu a sumba uri vhatambudzi vha ṱuṱuwedzwa zwihulu nga matiitii, u sa ḓithonifha, u sa dzhiela nṱha pfunzo dza vhana na u nambatela kha mvelele U ḓimbadekanya na vhana nga vhabebi, u ḓivhadza vhashumelavhapo na tshipholisa nga ha nyeṱe iyi zwi nga khwiṋifhadza mashumele a vhana zwikoloni na u fhungudza u shavha mahayani na u ṱoḓa u ḓivhulaha ha vhana vhane vha khou tambudzwa nga nḓila dzo fhambanaho. Ngudo iyi yo shumisa maṅwalwa o tou topolwaho u kuvhanganya mafhungo nga ha u tambudzwa ha vhana. Mawanwa o saukanyiwa hu tshi tevhelwa thero dzi fanaho kha maṅwalwa oṱhe. Zwinzhi zwi kha ḓi tea u itwa u itela u thivhela nyeṱe iyi.Themendelo dza mawanwa dzo itwa u itela u thivhela khombo.

A multidimensional approach, using individual, social structural and process and system theories, is applied to examine the role of drugs in child abuse within the dysfunctional family system. By means of a saturation sample seventeen files were selected from Phoenix House and the South African National Council For Drug and Alcohol Abuse. A research schedule was developed and an analysis of the seventeen cases was done. The drug dependent parent is discussed and abuse in the family system are identified. Throughout, the influence of (the) parental drug dependency is illustrated and it is shown how dependency in a parent may influence family functioning and parenting skills. A literature study brought to light aspects in families which contribute to child abuse. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

A multidimensional approach, using individual, social structural and process and system theories, is applied to examine the role of drugs in child abuse within the dysfunctional family system. By means of a saturation sample seventeen files were selected from Phoenix House and the South African National Council For Drug and Alcohol Abuse. A research schedule was developed and an analysis of the seventeen cases was done. The drug dependent parent is discussed and abuse in the family system are identified. Throughout, the influence of (the) parental drug dependency is illustrated and it is shown how dependency in a parent may influence family functioning and parenting skills. A literature study brought to light aspects in families which contribute to child abuse. Recommendations are made for further research on aspects highlighted by the findings. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

Thesis (Ph.D. (Adult Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / The sexual abuse of children seems to be a worldwide community-based problem. In any attempts to address this problem, community participation is crucial. The study, which was conducted in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province of South Africa, focused on the factors that contribute to child sexual abuse in this area. The aims of the study were to encourage community participation in the reduction of child sexual abuse and to educate the community on child sexual abuse in order to improve the quality of life of the community members. The study adopted a participatory action research approach utilising a qualitative technique to collect the data. Interviews were conducted with educators, nurses, social workers, traditional leaders, church leaders, members of the civic organisation, policing staff and the Victim Empowerment Group. A data matrix was used to analyse the data. Community education was found to be the most successful way of addressing child sexual abuse. According to the responses of all target groups, community participation is imperative to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse. All target groups seemed to be aware of the problem and ready to work together to reduce the prevalence of child sexual abuse. It is recommended that community education programmes be organised by each particular community to address any community-based problems such as child sexual abuse. Some of the recommendations in this study could help the community to become involved in the fight against child sexual abuse. The research indicated that educational programmes bring about greater change in the behaviour and beliefs of a community if the programmes allow the participants to articulate and examine their personal values and beliefs concerning the sexual abuse of children. In the study, participants themselves demonstrated strategies to encourage community members to become involved in the reduction of child sexual abuse. The participants developed a positive attitude towards the reduction of child sexual abuse. They appeared to believe in community education programmes and were committed and willing to support such initiatives. By the end of the project, participants were empowered to fight against child sexual abuse

It was recommended by the American Psychological Association and the American Bar Association in October 1999, that the time had come for psychologists to do more than act as expert witnesses, and that their influence should be felt " ... at the first level of intervention" (Foxhall, 2000, p. 1). The first level of intervention is considered, in this study, to be the decision-making process. This research examines the decision-making processes used by four of the disciplines integral to the child abuse multi-disciplinary team. Social workers, child protection officers of the South African Police Services, psychologists and prosecutors currently involved in the child abuse arena in South Africa were given case vignettes to anchor their decision-making on simulated examples. On the basis of these in-depth interviews, using a Grounded Theory methodology, three specific questions are addressed, namely: how decisions are made and substantiated; how they differ across disciplines; and how they compare to recommended protocol. Results indicate interesting differences across these four disciplines. The differences between the decision-making processes in the disciplines seem to be rooted in their philosophical tenets, which give rise to specific aims in addressing child abuse. Differences between the decision-making processes and recommended protocol were also noted in cases where guidelines are available. In addition differences in expected outcomes of the vignettes, use ofassumptions and a level of mistrust between professionals was shown. If this research can help to sensitise professionals to begin to understand their own decision-making processes and those of their fellow decision-makers, then perhaps key role players and policy makers may be one step closer to responding to the challenge of child sexual abuse in South Africa. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.