Male Entitlement, a main cause of child sexual abuse – Report

Oct 12, 2018 News

By Kemol King
Findings from a recent ChildLink report, titled ‘Cries in the Dark,’ indicate that male entitlement is one of the main causes of child sex abuse.
The report states, “The vast majority of abusers are men, and often these are male family members who believe they are entitled to sexual access to any and all females in their sphere.” It further states that boys and men are generally ignorant of the harm of sexual abuse and the importance of maintaining boundaries, and must be educated on these issues.
Of the 338 cases, 337 were based on allegations of abuse by males. Some of the abusers were non-family members who were known to their victims, such as community members, family friends or service providers and professionals. This includes persons who are in positions of trust, such as teachers or pastors. Male members of the child’s immediate or extended family, such as a father or stepfathers, uncle, step-uncle or cousin, a brother-in-law or grandfather made up the second largest category of abusers (40%). Alleged abuse by family members or other known persons to the child and their family accounted for 84% of all cases. Twenty-four percent of all reports were of stepfathers (12.4%), fathers (6.8%) and brothers (6.2%).
Also indicated was the fact that victims of child sex abuse sustain mental illnesses that affect their health and wellbeing throughout the duration of their lives, especially when left untreated. Compounding these mental illnesses is a general distrust and skepticism when interfacing with men in many aspects of their lives, it states. When victims fail to report, they are not afforded the chance to receive treatment and counselling. The study posited that, in large part, the tendency to keep quiet is due to intimidation, threats and fear of the power and trust afforded to many male perpetrators.
To remedy this, the organisation has made a number of suggestions. These include the establishment of a national plan for the prevention of child sexual abuse, educational programmes for boys and men, and ‘better parenting’ programmes and campaigns, through Child Advocacy Centres (CACs), public media, churches, health centres and communities.
The report’s introduction warns that, “Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is one of the most devastating forms of violence a person can suffer. Without adequate intervention, sexual abuse may permanently change a child’s life course, which echoes throughout the child’s family, community and nation.” The report, which was released on October 8, is based on the first 338 reports of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) received by ChildLinK’s Child Advocacy Centres (CACs), as well as research interviews with teenage CSA victims and their supportive caretakers.
ChildLinK is a non-governmental organisation that functions to protect children from physical, sexual, emotional and commercial abuse, exploitation and neglect. Their expertise lies in providing child friendly counselling and other psychosocial interventions to children, youths and their families, from a rights based approach.