Challenges Faced by Professionals Working in Child Sexual Abuse Multi-Sectorial Forums: A Case of the Victim-Friendly System in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges faced by role players who work with survivors of child sexual abuse within the Victim-Friendly System. The Victim Friendly System represents a confluence of multi-sectorial professional interventions targeting child sexual abuse survivors in Zimbabwe. Professionals involved in the Victim-Friendly System include social workers, medical doctors, nurses, police, as well as role players within the justice system such as magistrates and prosecutors, counsellors, educationists and psychologists. The findings of this qualitative study show that professionals work within the context of a shrinking economy that has given rise to a plethora of challenges that include, among other things, staff and skills shortages, lack of financial and material resources, poor access to proper infrastructure and other logistical constrains. The authors end the paper by discussing recommendations that have policy, administrative and professional implications.

Exploring safety in disaster-induced displacement relocation site schools in Tokwe-Mukosi, Zimbabwe

“…Teachers, parents and responsible authorities are expected to provide educational facilities and safe learning environments, free from verbal, physical and sexual abuses. Furthermore, role-players are expected to identify and report any sign of abuse and injury (Muridzo, Chikadzi & Kaseke 2018 ). Also, both the Constitution and the Education Act allow school authorities, parents and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to provide food for the learners to combat malnutrition as denying learners food is one form of abuse (Tshili 2017 ).…”

Child Sex Tourism: A Case Study in Surabaya, Indonesia

“…The support services needed by sexually abused children can be classified into medical, psychosocial, judicial, and social services (Muridzo et al, 2018). To effectively provide the support services required by victims of sexual molestation calls for the participation of several professions, including social workers, doctors, nurses, police officers, magistrates, prosecutors, counsellors, and psychologists (Muridzo et al, 2018).…”

“…The support services needed by sexually abused children can be classified into medical, psychosocial, judicial, and social services (Muridzo et al, 2018). To effectively provide the support services required by victims of sexual molestation calls for the participation of several professions, including social workers, doctors, nurses, police officers, magistrates, prosecutors, counsellors, and psychologists (Muridzo et al, 2018). In view of the range of services the survivors need, the support for recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration, requires the establishment of multidisciplinary teams of professionals including social workers, health workers, counsellors, psychologists, police, lawyers, and so on housed under one roof such as a university teaching hospital (Chomba et al, 2010).…”

Web-based psychosocial interventions for survivors of child sex tourism and their families: a rethink of counselling

“…Thus, to deliver any support services to victims of sexual abuse, there is an urgent need for collaboration between institutions (Goldman et al, 2003). The support services needed by sexually abused children can be widely classified into medical, psychosocial, judicial services; and social services (Muridzo et al, 2018). Thus, it demands the participation of several professionals including social workers, doctors, nurses, police officers, magistrates, prosecutors, counsellors; and psychologists (Muridzo et al, 2018).…”

“…The support services needed by sexually abused children can be widely classified into medical, psychosocial, judicial services; and social services (Muridzo et al, 2018). Thus, it demands the participation of several professionals including social workers, doctors, nurses, police officers, magistrates, prosecutors, counsellors; and psychologists (Muridzo et al, 2018). In this regards, the establishment of multidisciplinary team of professionals including social workers, health workers, counsellors, psychologists, police, lawyers, etc.…”