The prevalence of child sexual abuse in South Africa is alarmingly high. Child protection officials’ task is challenging due to the fact that most cases of child sexual abuse are never reported as a result of the stigma attached to child sexual abuse. This article explains the vulnerable position of the children of uniform members of the military due to the fact that one or both parents are absent from the family due to fragmentation. Two main reasons are causing fragmentation. The first reason that can be mentioned is the fact that the soldier him–/herself has decided not to relocate the family to his/her workplace. Cultural beliefs, housing crisis or other practical challenges might play a role in the parent’s decision. The second reason for fragmentation is the fact that soldiers are obliged to attend military courses or to represent their country during a peace operation on the African continent. These military obligations cause physical and emotional absence of the parental figure, which might leave the child in a vulnerable position to fall victim to child sexual abuse. Fragmentation impacts negatively on the parental relationship as well as on the safety of the child. The deployed parent often is left with no choice but to unwittingly leave the child with a harmful caretaker. The aim of the study was to establish the knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. The objectives of the study were: · To investigate parents in the military's basic knowledge of child sexual abuse in preventing their children from falling victim to sexual perpetrators. · To provide guidelines to military parents for preventing and recognising child sexual abuse. Data collection took place by means of interviews with ten South African National Defence Force members. A self–developed interview schedule was used to establish the parent's knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. The results indicated the limited knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. Many parents viewed sexuality as a taboo topic. Some parents presented with an attitude that someone else is responsible for their child's sexual education. Still, the parents indicated that they would like to improve their communication with their children in order to empower and protect the child against sexual perpetrators. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The prevalence of child sexual abuse in South Africa is alarmingly high. Child protection officials’ task is challenging due to the fact that most cases of child sexual abuse are never reported as a result of the stigma attached to child sexual abuse. This article explains the vulnerable position of the children of uniform members of the military due to the fact that one or both parents are absent from the family due to fragmentation. Two main reasons are causing fragmentation. The first reason that can be mentioned is the fact that the soldier him–/herself has decided not to relocate the family to his/her workplace. Cultural beliefs, housing crisis or other practical challenges might play a role in the parent’s decision. The second reason for fragmentation is the fact that soldiers are obliged to attend military courses or to represent their country during a peace operation on the African continent. These military obligations cause physical and emotional absence of the parental figure, which might leave the child in a vulnerable position to fall victim to child sexual abuse. Fragmentation impacts negatively on the parental relationship as well as on the safety of the child. The deployed parent often is left with no choice but to unwittingly leave the child with a harmful caretaker. The aim of the study was to establish the knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. The objectives of the study were: · To investigate parents in the military's basic knowledge of child sexual abuse in preventing their children from falling victim to sexual perpetrators. · To provide guidelines to military parents for preventing and recognising child sexual abuse. Data collection took place by means of interviews with ten South African National Defence Force members. A self–developed interview schedule was used to establish the parent's knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. The results indicated the limited knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. Many parents viewed sexuality as a taboo topic. Some parents presented with an attitude that someone else is responsible for their child's sexual education. Still, the parents indicated that they would like to improve their communication with their children in order to empower and protect the child against sexual perpetrators. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The aim of this study is to investigate and analyse the military involvement of the USA in the security of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) during the era of the Clinton administration (1993-2001). The study is based on the assumption that the US did not have that much interest in the security of SSA during the Clinton era and that it did not want to become militarily involved in SSA. Its position as the only remaining superpower in the post-Cold War era, however placed a responsibility on the US to be militarily involved in the creation of a more secure SSA. The study relies on two theoretical constructs. On the one hand the changing nature of security in the post-Cold War world in general, but specifically in SSA, serves as a theoretical starting point. This is, on the other hand, supported by a theoretical focus on the nature of military involvement globally, but also specifically in SSA in the era after the Cold War. The latter is to a large extent related to the changing nature of military force and the use thereof in the post-Cold War era. The military involvement of the US in the management of the security of SSA during the Clinton era is analysed against the background of the US interests, policy, and strategy – specifically its security strategy – in SSA. The reality of the absence of concrete US interests in SSA is highlighted. This lack of interest led to a situation whereby SSA could not be a priority in US foreign policy. The US policy objectives in SSA were nevertheless aimed at the promotion of democracy, the improvement of the security situation and the support of economic progress. The reluctance of the US to deploy military forces in SSA underpins its security strategy and military involvement in SSA. The security strategy of the US was in essence preventive in nature since it aimed at preventing the manifestation of threats from SSA against the US by promoting the stability of SSA. However, the US was still militarily involved in SSA in a variety of ways, from the provision of military training and the conduct of military exercises to military operations. Military involvement centred around the empowerment of armed forces in SSA. It was argued that the capacity of the armed forces of SSA should be developed to support democratic governance and economic progress. The capacity building programmes of the US armed forces in SSA concentrated on defence reform, military professionalism, the creation of indigenous conflict resolution and peace support capabilities, the provision of equipment, and the improvement of health and environmental conditions. / Dissertation (MA (Security Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Political Sciences / unrestricted