Caregivers' experiences of the South African judicial system after the reporting of child sexual abuse

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is found to occur in alarming proportions worldwide. In South Africa, children represent almost half of the victims of known sexual abuse, and this is becoming a great concern even being described as silent epidemic. This research study serves as a qualitative exploration of caregivers' experiences of the South African judicial system after CSA has been reported. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a descriptive qualitative research design so as to thoroughly describe the caregivers' experiences. From the empirical findings and the literature the researcher concluded that there is a general sense that CSA investigations are poorly conducted. The empirical findings indicated that caregivers of child victims of sexual abuse and their children have experienced great frustration when dealing with the judicial system after CSA had been reported. These frustrations were due to the investigation of CSA cases, the court process, and the lack of communication from prosecutors and other professionals in the judicial system. The findings are recommended to be used to inform and raise the awareness of social workers and other role-players working in the field of CSA about caregivers' experiences with the South African judicial system after CSA has been reported.