An analysis of psycho-criminological factors of adult child sex-offenders in the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces.

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is not a new issue, it has been happening for a long time, but it is only recently that it has received more attention and been defined by society and scholars. Child sexual abuse research is primarily limited to high-income societies, with few studies conducted in low- and developing-income countries. Despite the fact that there have been few studies on child sexual abuse in South Africa, the social context has allowed child sexual abuse to continue and children to be victims of sexual offences. To address child sexual abuse, it is necessary to first understand the social context that allowed children to become victims of adult child sex offenders. The study focused on the psyche-criminology of adults who sexually abuse children and was exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory in nature. Psychologists, social workers, and convicted child sex offenders from two South African prisons took part in the study. The study combines data from 20 incarcerated sex offenders with data from 11 professional participants who work with child sex offenders on a daily basis. By examining the functioning mind-set of child sex offenders, this study provided indepth information on sexual offending. The study was guided by a qualitative research approach. The collected data was thematically analysed. The study discovered six key elements influencing adult sexual behaviour toward children who are sexually abused: education, a history of abuse, low self-esteem, opportunity, preference, and environment. In order to address child sexual abuse, the study recommends the formation of a unit comprised of specialists who will analyse the challenges of responding to adult child sex offenders. According to the study, child sex offenders in prison should be assigned psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers to assess them.