Perceptions of child sexual abuse-a qualitative interview study with representatives of the socio-legal system in urban Tanzania.
Through in-depth interviews, this study explored perceptions and experiences of key players handling child sexual offense cases in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The informants included public police investigators, magistrates, legal workers, and social workers working with nongovernmental organizations. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Five themes emerged summarizing factors associated with sexual offenses, including community passivity, legal system weaknesses, legal framework inadequacy, and key players' vulnerabilities. Addressing the identified weaknesses may promote justice, while changes in attitudes and norms are needed for the prevention of sexual offenses to children.
Kisanga
Felix
F
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. kisangaf@yahoo.co.uk
Mbwambo
Jessie
J
Hogan
Norah
N
Nystrom
Lennarth
L
Emmelin
Maria
M
Lindmark
Gunilla
G
D001290:Attitude / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003416:Criminal Law; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D016495:Police; D011610:Psychosocial Deprivation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012922:Social Change; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D012947:Social Work; D013636:Tanzania; D014505:Urban Population