Factors Influencing Child Sexual Abuse In Tanzania: A Case Of Dodoma Municipality

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the factors influencing Child Sexual Abuse in Dodoma Municipality. It was focused on examination of the community awareness on sexual abuse against children, determination of the magnitude and trend of sexual abuse against children, identifying of the underlying factors that influence the persistence of Sexual Abuse against Children and proposing measures to strengthen child protection system. The study employed a sample size of 99 respondents. Methodologically, primary data and secondary data were used in this study. Data were collected using interviews, questionnaire and documentary review. Quantitative data were analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0 while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The study found out that more than half of the respondents who accounted for 48.5% of total of the respondents said that the magnitude of Sexual Abuse against Children was high. Poverty which was explained by 24% of total responses was mentioned as one of the factors that influence the persistence of Sexual Abuse against Children. It was concluded that poverty, serious marital problems in the families, violence among family members particularly the couples, inadequate education on importance of child caring and alcohol/drugs use among some of the community members are among factors influencing Child Sexual Abuse. The Central Government of Tanzania should look at the problem of Sexual Abuse against Children and other forms violence against children as one of the national problems that immediate action or solution.