A Scoping Review on the Psychosocial Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Girl Child in Sub-Saharan Africa
Tsholofelo Keikabile,
Frans Koketso Matlakala & Curwyn Mapaling
Issue: Vol.5 No.4 Issue Article 10 pp.477-493
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245410 | Published online 19th April, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Child sexual abuse has become a global phenomenon. The statistics of sexual abuse of a girl child by relatives and/or other people known to the girl child are shocking. Various factors predispose a girl child to be susceptible to sexual abuse. As a result, the purpose of this study was to review the existing literature on the psychosocial effects of sexual abuse on a girl child. The study used a scoping review guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines. African Journals Online, Sabinet African Journals, EBSCOHost, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were used in the study to compile papers that were assessed for their coverage of the psychosocial impacts of child sexual abuse on girls between 2012 and 2023. The collected data was narratively analysed using thematic analysis. The study revealed that child sexual abuse has an impact on the mental health of the girl child which leads to their behavioural change. It further revealed that children are afraid to disclose sexual abuse as they fear secondary victimisation in the community. It was recommended that community awareness and education be organised to equip community members about the impact of stigmatisation on victims, and appropriate ways must be created to respond to the disclosure of sexual abuse. This study contributes to the academic field of child psychology and social work by offering a comprehensive analysis of the psychosocial impacts of child sexual abuse on girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, identifying gaps in current literature, and providing evidence-based recommendations for community and policy-level interventions. Its findings underscore the critical need for gender- and age-specific research and interventions to mitigate the profound effects of sexual abuse on vulnerable populations.
Keywords: Effects, Girl Child, Psychosocial, Sexual Abuse, Scoping Review
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Ms. Tsholofelo Keikabile is a registered social worker and completed her Masters in Child Protection with North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. She is currently working as a Social Worker at COSUP which is a Community Oriented Substance Use Program, in Gauteng, South Africa.
Dr. Frans Matlakala is a senior lecturer at North-West University, Department of Social Work, Mafikeng Campus. He is also a registered social worker and served as the supervisor for the first author.
Dr. Curwyn Mapaling, a clinical psychologist and award-winning Mandela Rhodes Scholar, is a senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and director of PsycheMap Psychology Practice and Research Consultancy. With a PhD in Education, he is interested in well-being research, bridging the realms of clinical psychology and education to address systemic challenges and foster resilience and success. His work, recognised by accolades like the Nelson Mandela University Alumni Rising Star Award, underscores a commitment to mental health innovation and educational excellence.
Keikabile,Tsholofelo, Frans Koketso Matlakala and Curwyn Mapaling. “A Scoping Review on the Psychosocial Effects of Sexual Abuse on the Girl Child in Sub-Saharan Africa,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.4 (2024): 477-493. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20245410
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
