The contribution of community education towards reducing child abuse : a participatory action research approach

Abstract

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