Enabling parents to identify signs of sexual abuse among children
To curb the scourge of sexual abuse, parents/caregivers should prepare their children about the dangers of premarital sex and the dangers of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Moreover, monitoring their children’s moves and knowing their children’s friends and where they stay, could minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Sexual abuse can be defined as any act exposing children (below the age of 18) to pornographic viewing via social media platforms, sexual intercourse, and persuading or forcing them to touch adults’ genitals.
By far, in South Africa, research indicates that sexual abuse is common among poor communities, especially in the rural areas, informal settlements, and RDP houses where in most cases, sexual predators take advantage of girls from child-headed families, dysfunctional families and who have been abandoned by their families following the deaths of their parents.
Having been moved by a couple of recent stories, it cannot be denied that the majority of teenagers engage in sexual intercourse without taking safety precautions. There could be many cases of sexual abuse not reported to the South African Police Services because some of the victims are mentally challenged while others have been trafficked into prostitution by illegal foreigners who do not have identity documents.
Although the perpetrators are arrested for statutory rape in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007, our previous research findings still confirm there are parents, adults, or caregivers who are not ready to encourage children to talk openly about their challenges including sexual values.
The danger is that a failure to establish secure emotional bonds with children from an early age often breeds feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem, subsequently leading to such children bottling up their miseries especially when parents are judgmental, emotionally unresponsive, and physically abusive.
It is high time for parents to believe their children when reporting that their educators and senior church members such as priests or pastors have made sexual advances on them. Parents should also be on the lookout for incest. Incest refers to sexual acts between blood relatives, siblings, parents, and their children.
Also, it should be a “red flag” for mothers in cohabitation or second marriages when their daughters raise concerns that their stepfathers begin to engage them in improper discussions or comment on their body posture or looks. Parents should not protect their partners (when they should address the allegations) just because they depend on them financially.
Sexually abused children typically show a decline in their academic performance, behaviour change, unexplained mood swings, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, and/or disturbed sleep patterns. To cope, they may cover their emotional emptiness by using substances (alcohol and illicit drugs).
To curb the scourge of sexual abuse, parents/caregivers should prepare their children about the dangers of premarital sex and the dangers of sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Moreover, monitoring their children’s moves and knowing their children’s friends and where they stay, could minimise the risk of exposure to inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Parents should be vigilant during festive seasons when children request to visit their relatives or friends in other areas/ provinces and ensure that there is no alcohol or other substances in their bags. During traditional ceremonies especially in the villages or New Year’s parties, where alcohol abuse is rife, parents should remain sober and protect their children from unscrupulous uncles or neighbours who may drug their children and rape them.
Child sexual abuse can be reported to the SAPS emergency number: 10111 or request a call back via SMS by sending ‘help’ to 31022 free of charge. By doing so, the survivors can be assisted with counseling as well as medical examination to screen for STIs and possible termination of pregnancy (when reported early) following the informed consent of the legal guardians.
By:
Prof Jabulani Gilford Kheswa (Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa)
Dr. Mahlodi Makupula (Clinical Psychologist and lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa)
Mr. Mvuyisi Notole (PhD Psychology candidate and lecturer, Department of Psychology, University of Fort Hare, South Africa)