This study explored the reliability of disclosures of sexual abuse from preschool children. The study assumed the following: firstly the greater the level of trauma experienced by the child, the lower the reliability of the disclosure. Secondly, if the child had been severely threatened it was less likely that their disclosure would be reliable. Thirdly it was assumed that the more supportive the family was of the child's disclosure, the more reliable the disclosure would be. Fourthly, the study assumed that an important factor regarding reliability of a child's disclosure was the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Lastly it was assumed that the techniques used would be secondary in importance if compared with the therapeutic relationship . The research questions asked how techique, social worker and child-related variables affected the reliability of a child's disclosure of sexual abuse, and if there was a relationship between the variables and the child's ability to disclose reliably. The research included both qualitative and quantitative data and methodology. The research process was twofold. Firstly child, social worker and technique-related variables were identified from the case studies and the relationship between these variables described . Secondly, the effects of these variables on the participants' reliability in relating their sexual abuse experiences were explored. Thirty participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Participants were male and female between the ages of two and six years. The collective case study method was used and data was obtained from case records and analysed through content analysis. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The results reflected a relationship between the above mentioned variables. It seemed that child-related variables were important and could affect the child's ability to disclose reliably. However social worker-related variables seemed to be able to positively mediate the negative effects of some of the child-related variables. Technique-related variables seemed to be closely related to the-quality of and the specific stage of the therapeutic relationship. Techniques could be successfully used where a trusting relationship existed between the social worker and the child. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.

In this paper the researcher discusses the importance of specialized training for workers in child welfare who are responding to allegations of child sexual abuse in the context of custody/access disputes. The researcher has implemented an experimental design involving two matched groups of staff, equally sized, from an Ontario child welfare agency. Participants were requested to complete a pre-test and post-test which measured the priority assigned to a set of fictitious scenarios developed for the project. A training session was offered to the experimental group prior to the post-test. / The outcome data suggests that the training affected the coding which members of the experimental group applied to scenarios. The experimental group tended to consider dynamics related to the issue of custody/access when assessing the priority of response time given to a referral. The control group evidenced no consideration of such dynamics. / The researcher has included a number of recommendations within the analysis section so that future applications of similar studies may be improved. The conclusion of this study clearly states that adequate worker training is essential in order that objective, reliable, and competent service is available to child welfare clients.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / There is deep concern nationally and internationally about the increasing numbers of sexual offences against children. South Africa is one of the countries with a very high incidence of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is very traumatic for most children: research reveals that the negative psychological impact of child sexual abuse persists over time and even into adulthood. Disclosure of sexual abuse is often very traumatic for the victim and the response of the investigation officer is crucial as inappropriate responses to disclosure can inhibit the child's healing process, jeopardize the subsequent legal proceedings and expose the child to secondary traumatisation. This study explores the training needs of investigating officers of the South African Police Services with regard to interviewing young victims of sexual abuse. The rationale would be that if investigating officers were adequately trained in interviewing sexually abused children the trauma will be lessened for the child victim and their families. A qualitative study was conducted. Two groups of participants were used in the study: Investigating officers working for the SA Police Service and social workers working for various non-governmental organizations. Participants were purposefully selected. Data were produced by the use of questionnaires and interviews semi-structured. The interviews were analysed thematically. The seven themes that emerged from the data analysis were: reporting of sexual abuse, investigation of sexual abuse, knowledge of sexual abuse, practical skills, attitudes of investigating officers, children with disabilities and support for investigating officers. The data from the questionnaires were also analysed quantitatively. The findings from the study indicate that investigating officers need more in-depth and extensive training on how to interview sexually abused children.

Abstract not available

<p dir="ltr">One of the issues on social media that is expanding the fastest is children being exposed to predators online [ 1 ]. Due to the ease with which a larger segment of the younger population may now access the Internet, online grooming activity on social media has grown to be a significant social concern. Child grooming, in which adults and minors exchange sexually explicit text and media via social media platforms, is a typical component of online child exploitation. An estimated 500,000 predators operate online every day. According to estimates, Internet chat rooms and instant messaging are where 89% of sexual approaches against children take place. The child may face a variety of unpleasant consequences following a grooming event, including shame, anger, anxiety, tension, despair, and substance abuse which make it more difficult for them to report the exploitation. A substantial amount of research in this domain has focused on identifying certain vulnerabilities of the victims of grooming. These vulnerabilities include specific age groups, gender, psychological factors, no family support, and lack of good social relations which make young people more vulnerable to grooming. So far no technical work has been done to apply statistical analysis on these vulnerability profiles and observe how these patterns change between different victim types and offender types. This work presents a detailed analysis of the effect of Offender type (contact and fantasy) and victim type (Law Enforcement Officers, Real Victims and Decoys (Perverted Justice)) on representation of different vulnerabilities in grooming conversations. Comparison of different victim groups would provide insights into creating the right training material for LEOs and decoys and help in the training process for online sting operations. Moreover, comparison of different offender types would help create targeted prevention strategies to tackle online child grooming and help the victims.</p>

Gestalt play therapy court assessment / Child victim / Sexual crime / Legal professionals / Assessment guideline / Intermediary / Text in Afrikaans / As a source of information the court needs to be convinced of the witness's credibility and the ability to recall and communicate the truth regarding the Incident. Mostly the court uses the expertise of an expert witness to assist it in making a decision regarding the way in which a child needs to testify in court. Experts in this field are challenged to align the legal requirements with those of their field of expertise. In this research the Gestalt therapeutic approach is used to design an assessment guideline to assist experts to assess the ability of child victims of sexual crimes to testify in court. The Gestalt therapeutic approach focuses on the present (here and now) and has the ability to obtain access to the information present in the child's life. In the proposed assessment guideline certain Gestalt play therapy methods are recommended to assist the expert to assessing the child victim of a sexual crime. / Play therapy / M.Diac. (Play therapy)

Gestalt play therapy court assessment / Child victim / Sexual crime / Legal professionals / Assessment guideline / Intermediary / Text in Afrikaans / As a source of information the court needs to be convinced of the witness's credibility and the ability to recall and communicate the truth regarding the Incident. Mostly the court uses the expertise of an expert witness to assist it in making a decision regarding the way in which a child needs to testify in court. Experts in this field are challenged to align the legal requirements with those of their field of expertise. In this research the Gestalt therapeutic approach is used to design an assessment guideline to assist experts to assess the ability of child victims of sexual crimes to testify in court. The Gestalt therapeutic approach focuses on the present (here and now) and has the ability to obtain access to the information present in the child's life. In the proposed assessment guideline certain Gestalt play therapy methods are recommended to assist the expert to assessing the child victim of a sexual crime. / Play therapy / M.Diac. (Play therapy)

This study reflects a critical analysis of the procedures followed in child rape cases in Mpumalanga Province and in the process to enhance investigative capabilities with sound detective development. Empirical research was conducted with a literature review, docket analysis and interviews as methods to obtain information where the following important aspects were addressed: an overview of the field of forensic investigation, the shortcomings with regard to child rape investigations and correct procedures for conducting child rape investigations formulated. The study found that generally rape cases were not properly investigated, correct procedures were not followed (biological/physical evidence was not readily identified nor correctly handled) and applicable directives pertaining to child rape investigations not complied with. Investigators had a narrow understanding of the concept forensic investigation. In child rape investigations it would be of more evidential value and reliable to collect physical evidence such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva as the child’s testimony at court might not be reliable, particularly when subjected to cross examination. Rape is both a contact crime as well as a psychologically motivated crime and both aspects of the trauma needs attention during the investigation process. Crimes against women and children are also a national concern, thus making child rape a priority crime for the South African Police Service. For any successful prosecution it is necessary that policy and correct procedures are not compromised but rather strictly adhered to. The Locard Principle in relation to physical evidence such as body fluids at the crime scene needs to be focussed on during the investigation process. The research suggests that the current standing operating procedures be amended to include the critical aspects of child rape investigation such as processing of the crime scene, the search for biological evidence as well as the packaging and preservation of biological evidence. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)