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    Physical, emotional and sexual adolescent abuse victimisation in South Africa: Prevalence, incidence, perpetrators and locations

    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Meinck, F.
    Cluver, L.
    Boyes, Mark
    Loening-Voysey, H.
    Date
    2016
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Meinck, F. and Cluver, L. and Boyes, M. and Loening-Voysey, H. 2016. Physical, emotional and sexual adolescent abuse victimisation in South Africa: Prevalence, incidence, perpetrators and locations. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. 70 (9): pp. 910-916.
    Source Title
    Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
    DOI
    10.1136/jech-2015-205860
    ISSN
    0143-005X
    School
    School of Psychology and Speech Pathology
    Remarks

    This open access article is distributed under the Creative Commons license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22514
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Background: Physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children is a major problem in South Africa, with severe negative outcomes for survivors. To date, no known studies have used data directly obtained from community-based samples of children to investigate prevalence, incidence, locations and perpetrators of child abuse victimisation. This study aims to investigate prevalence and incidence, perpetrators, and locations of child abuse victimisation in South Africa using a multicommunity sample. Methods: 3515 children aged 10-17 years (56.6% female) were interviewed from all households in randomly selected census enumeration areas in two South African provinces. Child self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up (96.7% retention). Results: Prevalence was 56.3% for lifetime physical abuse (18.2% past-year incidence), 35.5% for lifetime emotional abuse (12.1% incidence) and 9% for lifetime sexual abuse (5.3% incidence). 68.9% of children reported any type of lifetime victimisation and 27.1% reported lifetime multiple abuse victimisation. Main perpetrators of abuse were reported: for physical abuse, primary caregivers and teachers; for emotional abuse, primary caregivers and relatives; and for sexual abuse, girlfriend/boyfriends or other peers. Conclusions: This is the first study assessing current self-reported child abuse through a large, community based sample in South Africa. Findings of high rates of physical, emotional and sexual abuse demonstrate the need for targeted and effective interventions to prevent incidence and re-victimisation.

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