Male Children Sexual Abuse in the Transkei Region of South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i1.17707Keywords:
Anal penetration, HIV infection, child abuseAbstract
Background: Reporting of male-to-male sexual abuse is associated with stigma and discrimination.
It is not only trauma to a child but also to a family. It is under researched and under estimated in a
community. Even when abused children have grown up and become adults the abuse remains a painful
secret in their lives. This scar of child sexual abuse stays for a life time. It also fuels the spread of HIV/
AIDS in society.
Objective: To study the sexual abuse among male children in the Transkei region of South Africa.
Method: This is a retrospective study, carried out between 2007 and 2011 at the Sinawe Centre of
Mthatha General Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa.
Results: There were 38 cases of male child sexual abuse (MCSA) reported between 2007 and 2011.
There was only 1 case reported in 2007, 3 in 2008, 6 in 2009, 10 in 2010 and 18 in the year 2011. Of
these, 3 (7.9%) were 5 years old, 17 (44.7%) were 10 or less years, and 9 (23.7%) were between the age
of 11 and 15 years of age. Of the perpetrators 20 (52.6%) were known to the victims, 16 (42.1%) were
unknown 2 (5.2%) were family member of the victims. There was delay in reporting. Genital injuries
were observed in 8 (21%) cases, and physical injury in only 2 (5.2%) cases. All the victims were HIV
negative and post-exposure prophylaxis compliant.
Conclusion: There is an increasing trend of male children sexual abuse in the Transkei region of South
Africa. It requires urgent attention by the law enforcement authorities
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