Sexual abuse in children

Abstract

Child sexual abuse has been increasing in Tanzania. This two- year, retrospective  study was done at Muhirnbili Medical Centre from July 1995 to June 1997. During that period, 143 children, aged 6 months to 10 years, were admitted with an history of sexual abuse. The perpetrators were all male and aged between 9-60 years. Most of them were teenagers (52.6%)and neighbours (52%). Close relatives accounted for 23 cases (13.4%). Our sources of information were from the victims in 73 cases (49%) and from the mothers in 29 cases (10.7%). Ninety-eight children (68.500) were sexually abused for the first time. Sodomy was the predominant form of abuse, followed  by vaginal intercourse. More research on child sexual abuse in Tanzania is required to determine factors relating to the perpetrators of child molestation.

Key words: child, sexual abuse, Tanzania