The purpose of this study was to determine the extent, pattern and forms of child sexual abuse amongst university students / to investigate the degree of sexual coercion / to examine victim-perpetrator relationships / to determine the extent to which students are bothered by the event at the time of completing the Early Sexual Experiences Checklist / to establish the age of the student at the time the event occurred and also the age of the other person involved when the event occurred / and to determine the frequency of the coercive event.

M.A. / The purpose of this study is to tell the story of sexual revictimisation of coloured women. The epistemological framework of this study is an integrated one including both modem and postmodern approaches to the study of revictimisation. The dominant postmodern approach is that of constructivism. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research are used to collect and analyse the data. The story of revictimisation was recounted firstly through responses to a questionnaire by a sample of coloured women within the context of a coloured community. Secondly, the unique stories of sexual revictimisation were re-authored through the co-author's lens in the form of themes that emerged from the stories told by each of the three narrators. The effects of sexual revictimisation, as well as the specific ways each narrator survived their abuse experiences was discussed. Recurring themes evident in the stories of all three narrators were elucidated in a co-constructed story of stories. A comparison between the quantitative research results, the qualitative story constructions and the literature on sexual revictimisation concluded the re-constructed story where the numerous stories, within either a unique, cultural or universal context, were integrated into a conceptual whole. The information gained could serve as guidelines for those working with adult survivors of child sexual abuse within a coloured context. An understanding of sexual revictimisation and the risk factors involved in the effects of child sexual abuse may be useful in the prevention of sexual revictimisation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent, pattern and forms of child sexual abuse amongst university students / to investigate the degree of sexual coercion / to examine victim-perpetrator relationships / to determine the extent to which students are bothered by the event at the time of completing the Early Sexual Experiences Checklist / to establish the age of the student at the time the event occurred and also the age of the other person involved when the event occurred / and to determine the frequency of the coercive event.

The aim of the study was to explore and describe participants` understandings of sexual abuse involving teenage learners with intellectual disability in order to suggest the best approach for caring and supporting intellectually challenged teenage learners with a history of sexual abuse in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal. This was a qualitative study using Bronfenbrenner`s ecological approach. This approach enables me to describe understandings about the phenomenon studied and how factors interact with each other and individuals in forming such understandings. Data was obtained by means of in-depth interviews which were conducted one on one with teachers of the special schools and SGB member, Social Worker, Psychologist and Crisis Centre Coordinator, local church person, parent of intellectual disabled child as well as traditional healer. The study revealed that sexual abuse of teenage learners with intellectual disability is riddled with myths and misconceptions that rendered them vulnerable to various forms of sexuality in the community. Recommendations based on the findings were made: promoting a better understanding of intellectual disability, sexuality education, and promoting the right attitude. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

This thesis investigates current sentencing practices relating to the diverse, complex and emotionally laden phenomenon of child sexual abuse. It focuses on relevant legislative provisions, on case law and on an empirical study conducted amongst regional court magistrates. Trends, developments and problems are analysed and possible solutions to the main problems identified are investigated. The thesis concludes with proposed guidelines regarding the sentencing process in child sexual abuse cases. Such guidelines address general and specific principles, the use of victim impact statements, the increased recognition and use of behavioural science in the sentencing phase with regard to both the victim and the offender, and relevant aggravating and mitigating factors. The guidelines are an attempt to give some structure to the current haphazard approach adopted by the courts with regard to harm experienced by the victim. They are also aimed at assisting experts to provide more effective and reliable pre-sentence reports. Further, the thesis attempts to provide clarity concerning the factors that are considered to be aggravating or mitigating in the offence category, child sexual abuse, as well as with regard to the weight that should be attached to them. In addition, recommendations are made for the purpose of possible law reform and further research in relation to the regulation of judicial discretion through the introduction of formal sentencing guidelines, victim impact statements and the accommodation of behavioural science in the sentencing process pertaining to sexual offenders. This proposal is based on current South African sentencing practices as reflected in the consolidation of local judgments scattered over many years in different law reports and, to some extent, on English, Canadian, Australian and American sentencing practices as researched in this study.

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and perspectives of the users of the services of the Restorative Justice Centre in Pretoria. A phenomenological study was conducted to gain insight in the participants experiences and perspectives of the the services rendered. Data collection was done using indepth interviews with a sample population of girls who were victims of sexual abuse and their caregivers. The reseacher made use of Colaizze (1978) data analysis approach following the transcription of audio recorded information.The study found that first time contact can be a daunting experience for victims, which touches on complex issues like discomfort, fear, cultural barriers and timing. Generally, clients were positive about social workers who build up a meaningful relationship based on empathy and respect. However, clients were concerned about unintentional, but insensitive behaviour by practitioners. Services that recognize a client‟s culture and language, as well as context are viewed as empowering. Therefore, restorative justice interventions should be holistic and consider the context in its approaches / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (M.A. (Criminology and Criminal Justice)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The incidence of child sexual abuse is reaching new statistical highs in South Africa. Studies indicate that every second a child is raped in South Africa. Therefore, Child Sexual Abuse requires abstained approaches to be fastened, solid knowledge foundation and understanding. Failure to respond precisely and treat sexually abused children with sensitivity and professionalism (SAPS officials, healthcare practitioners and the judiciary) limit chances for a successful prosecution and victory to conquer psychological impairments on victims. Therefore, this research explored experiences in the Criminal Justice System (CJS) in the treatment of and response to child sexual abuse. The study was confined to Polokwane Policing Cluster (PPC) involving a sample from the South African Police Services (SAPS), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Social Department (DSD). This qualitative study adopted non-probability purposive sampling. Initially, the researcher targeted a population of fifteen (15) officials within the PPC who work directly with cases of CSA. However, two officials were not willing to form part of the study. This research was guided by the following objectives to: 1. Determine responses of the CJS to children as victims of sexual offences within the PPC; 2. Establish the protection of psychological well-being of children as victims of sexual offences in Polokwane Policing Cluster; and 3. Review regulatory legislative frameworks addressing the treatment of children as victims of sexual offence in Polokwane Policing Cluster. Moreover, this study examined causes and impacts associated with CSA. The study further reveals consequences of CSA and offer suggested mechanisms stemming from selected participants whom, among others include, but not limited to the following: using the legislative framework approach; the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; protection of children‟s rights and broad statutory approaches for the treatment of sexual offence victims.

Thesis ((M.A. (Social work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Survivors of child sexual abuse experience a lot but various challenges in their everyday lives. The overall aim of the study was to describe the experiences of male adult survivors of child sexual abuse at Ga-Matlala, Limpopo Province. The study objectives were to identify types of child sexual abuse cases at Ga- Matlala uperpetrated prior 1994; to determine how adult male survivors of child sexual abuse handle their life problems; to describe the social impact of child sexual abuse on male adult survivors; and to recommend appropriate professional intervention to male adult survivors of child sexual abuse. The study utilised descriptive research design. The data was collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews from three (3) survivors of child sexual abuse who were sexually abused prior 1994 who are residing at Ga-Matlala area. The sample consisted of survivors of child sexual abuse drawn from the database of Bakone Tribal Council compiled and administered pre 1994. A thematic analysis method was selected. Thematic analysis organises and describes data set in detail. The data was analysed in eight steps.Ethical considerations such as voluntary participation, permission to conduct the study, anonymity, confidentiality and no harm to respondents were considered.The researcher found that two survivors indicated to be having abilities to resolve their personal problems while one participant has indicated to be having problems in resolving his personal problems. All three survivors indicated to be engaged in an intimate relationships. All there survivors indicated to have had experienced child sexual abuse more than once and they also indicated to have had experienced more than one type of sexual abuse. Two participants out of three survivors had not reported of imitating what they experienced while one has adopted the lifestyle but he is not doing it with children like it was done to him. All survivors indicated to have forgiven their perpetrators. All of survivors indicated that their childhood experience had a negative impact in their childhood lives and it still has a negative influence in their adult life. All three survivors indicated to have not accessed professional assistance in their childhood even during their participation in the study they have not yet accessed professional intervention towards their past traumatic experience. However, all three survivors acknowledged the fact that post traumatic intervention is important to their personal growth with regard to finding closure, gaining confidence and finding coping strategies that will be helpful in facing their personal problems with an open mind and positivity of finding solutions without tracing their childhood past into it. The researcher concluded that all the participants of the study had experienced different kinds or types of child sexual abuse and it has negatively impacted them. Being involved in an intimate relationship was not difficult for the survivors as all of them were engaged in intimate relationships. All three survivors need to access professional help for them to overcome the impact of their past child sexual abuse experience. There is a huge difference/gap regarding the previous findings and the current findings mainly because most of the previous studies were European based than African Based (South Africa) and it was also showing a gap between European based Theories and African based theories when dealing with child sexual abuse. The main recommendation that the researcher had was to motivate the survivors to participate in the process of accessing professional help to enable them to deal with their current lives without tracing everything back to their childhood.

The researcher identified in her work as a social worker that sexually abused adolescents experience difficulties with testifying in court. The goal of this research was directed at developing guidelines to assist adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher utilised the qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature. Semi-structured interviews were done with a sample of adolescents who have testified in court, a sample of parents or caregivers of adolescents who have testified in court and social workers working with adolescents who testify in court. These interviews were conducted to gain insight into how the research participants experienced the court process in order to formulate guidelines for adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher concluded that adolescents experience testifying in court as negative. Guidelines were developed from the information obtained from the research participants to support adolescents who has to testify in court. / Social work / M.Diac. (Play therapy)

The researcher identified in her work as a social worker that sexually abused adolescents experience difficulties with testifying in court. The goal of this research was directed at developing guidelines to assist adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher utilised the qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature. Semi-structured interviews were done with a sample of adolescents who have testified in court, a sample of parents or caregivers of adolescents who have testified in court and social workers working with adolescents who testify in court. These interviews were conducted to gain insight into how the research participants experienced the court process in order to formulate guidelines for adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher concluded that adolescents experience testifying in court as negative. Guidelines were developed from the information obtained from the research participants to support adolescents who has to testify in court. / Social work / M.Diac. (Play therapy)