Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Though child sexual abuse is a universal phenomenon, only reported cases of the
incidence are common source of information to get insight on how to understand the problem. Besides,
investigating complaints presented by victims themselves would be a stepping stone for designing
prevention and rehabilitation programs. The objective of this study was to identify the nature of sexual
incidence and experience victims face.
METHODS: The research was conducted by collecting reported child sexual abuse cases from Child
Protection Units of Addis Ababa Police Commission and three selected non-governmental organizations
working for the welfare of sexually abused children in Addis Ababa. 64 selected samples of victim
children were included from the three organizations. They completed a semi-structured questionnaire
and data were analyzed.
RESULTS: Of the total reported crime cases committed against children (between July 2005 and
December 2006), 23% of them were child sexual victimization. On average, 21 children were reported to
be sexually abused each month where majority of the sexual abuse incidence were committed against
female children in their own home by someone they closely know. The psychological trauma and
physical complaints presented by victims include symptoms of anxiety and depression.
CONCLUSION: It was found out that child sexual abuse cases presented to the legal office was not
properly managed. Female children appear to be more prone to sexual abuse than their male
counterparts. By virtue of their nature, many children are at risk of sexual victimization by people they
truest. Based on the findings, several implications are made, which includes the importance of nationwide study to formulate a comprehensive policy guideline for protection and criminalization of child
sexual abuse in Ethiopia.
