Die kontekstuele faktore wat kleuters ondersteun om seksuele misbruik by kleuterskole te openbaar

Abstract

Sexual abuse is a worldwide problem occurring amongst all age groups, including toddlers (defined as a child between the ages of two and six years old). Though the disclosure of sexual abuse is the exception rather than the norm, toddlers, due to their cognitive development phase, are in the age group most likely to disclose any sexual abuse suffered. Literature has shown that children will disclose their sexual abuse, most probably instead to teachers, apart from their parents or friends. Teachers are in the profession where more time is spent with children than any other, thus placing them in a position of trust towards children. This unique position enables them to grant children the opportunity to disclose any sexual abuse to which they might be exposed. Various studies though have shown that teachers seldom have the necessary knowledge regarding sexual abuse. It is a known fact that toddlers more often disclose their sexual abuse quite incidentally. Also, toddlers usually disclose their sexual abuse only once. A better understanding of the contextual factors wherein toddlers discloses their sexual abuse will enable role players like nursery school teachers, to be suitably equipped and prepared to identify and avail themselves of situations predisposed for disclosure, or even of creating such occasions. In this way, it contributes to early intervention and a higher rate of reporting incidences of toddlers' sexual abuse. Findings of this study will benefit forensic social workers on account of information regarding situations wherein children might be enabled to disclose sexual abuse.In this study the researcher investigated incidences where toddlers disclosed sexual abuse at nursery school level, with a special focus on which factors within the nursery school context contributed to the disclosure of the said abuse with the use of a qualitative descriptive research design. During this study it was found that direct as well as indirect contextual factors exist that contribute to supporting toddlers to disclose sexual abuse at nursery school level. Direct contextual factors enabling toddlers to disclose sexual abuse at their nursery schools are, amongst others: opportunity, an atmosphere of trust and safety, communication abilities and observation. The indirect contextual factors encouraging toddlers to disclose any abuse are: the teachers' knowledge and insight into the problems, available information regarding the children's home environments and the opportunity to refer toddlers to knowledgeable experts in their fields to confirm any sexual abuse.