[Problems of child sexual abuse in Africa or the imbroglio of a double paradox: the example of Cameroon].
OBJECTIVE
This study has investigated the prevalence of sexual abuse cases in Cameroon (Africa) and approached the way these cases are solved.


METHODS
405 medical certificates have been reviewed within a three years period.


RESULTS
Over 405 medical certificates, 19 cases of sexual abuse have been identified. All the victims were girls. The great majority of them were aged 10-14 (57.9%) and 15-19 (31.6%). The sexual assaults have been perpetrated out of the family.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show evidence of sexual abuse cases in Africa. Friendly adjustments by private contracts and family interventions with financial amends for the parents of the victims are often preferred to the court of justice, because of poverty, cultural pressures and judicial injunctions.
Menick
D M
DM
Hôpital Départemental de Monatélé, République du Cameroun, Afrique.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005607:Fraud; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D011203:Poverty
La problématique des enfants victimes d'abus sexuels en Afrique ou l'imbroglio d'un double paradoxe: l'exemple du Cameroun.