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A Vignettes-Based Exploration of Attitudes of Parents Toward Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana.
- Source :
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence; Apr2023, Vol. 38 Issue 7/8, p6138-6166, 29p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Reporting child sexual abuse (CSA) to law enforcement institutions is the ideal child protection imperative. The role of parents in this process is unquestionably profound. Yet, there is limited evidence on parental perspectives on reporting CSA to law enforcement agencies in developing country contexts. We apply vignettes to describe the views of parents about reporting CSA perpetrated by "family members, schoolteachers, and strangers." Data was collected from 89 parents from four culturally diverse regions of Ghana. A systematic inductive approach was used to determine patterns and similarities in participants' attitudes toward reporting. We note that the attitudes of participants about reporting CSA varied considerably; these are influenced by the nature of social relationships between the victim and perpetrator. In a seeming order of severity, CSA perpetrated by a family member was viewed less seriously compared to victimization by a teacher or a stranger. The desire to preserve familial/kin ties and reputation and keeping to the cultural heritage of resolving "disputes and disagreements" amicably were primary norms against reporting CSA. However, attitudes toward reporting CSA by teachers were influenced by expectation of higher moral standards, which made reporting CSA by a teacher a reasonable cause of action. Positive attitudes toward reporting CSA by "strangers" were prevalent. Child protection programs must recognzse the segmented attitudes toward CSA and tackle the deep-seated cultural and social norms through social and behavioral change communication (SBCC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- PARENT attitudes
PUBLIC health laws
PSYCHOLOGY of parents
CHILD sexual abuse
FOCUS groups
SOCIAL norms
RESEARCH methodology
INTERVIEWING
FAMILIES
CASE studies
INTERPERSONAL relations
TEACHERS
RESEARCH funding
DATA analysis software
THEMATIC analysis
INDUSTRIAL research
MEDICAL coding
BEHAVIOR modification
POLICE
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08862605
- Volume :
- 38
- Issue :
- 7/8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162089809
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221127215