Exploration of Parents’ Practices That Are Protective and Those Which Increase Vulnerability to Child Sexual Abuse in Kisarawe, Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract Background: Parents are vital to the successful protection of child sexual abuse (CSA). A better understanding of parent’s practice is essential for developing and implementing effective parent-involved protection programs. However, there was a shortage of empirical research revealing parent’s practices that are protective and those which increase vulnerability to child sexual abuse in Tanzania. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore what parents in Kisarawe did or did not do with respect to protection of their children against sexual abuses. Aim of the study: The study aimed to explore parents’ practices that are protective and that which increase children vulnerability to sexual abuses in Kisarawe, Pwani region, Tanzania. Methodology: The study used qualitative exploratory design, data were collected through In-depth interviews with a sample of 20 parents from Kisarawe, who were selected purposively. The data from the interviews were about parents’ practices that are protective against CSA and that which increases children vulnerability to sexual abuses in Kisarawe. The collected data were analyzed using thematic approach and findings presented in terms of themes and subthemes. Results: The findings showed that CSA is mostly done to female children and perpetrators are often males of different age groups. Parents’ practices regarding making proper sleeping arrangements, sufficient provision of basic needs to children, regular monitoring of children and communication were reported to be protective practices against CSA however improper sleeping arrangements, inadequate monitoring of children and the use modern devices/TV, insufficient provision of basic needs and lack of parental education to parents increased the vulnerability to CSA. Conclusion: The study provided a comprehensive description of parents’ practices regarding protecting or increasing vulnerability of their children against CSA at the home settings, which may provide guidance towards development of parental education programs in Tanzania.