The Child Sexual Abuse Epidemic… Jibril J.

et al 59

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE EPIDEMIC IN ADDIS ABABA:

SOME REFLECTIONS ON REPORTED INCIDENTS,
PSYCHOSOCIAL CONSEQUENCES AND IMPLICATIONS

Jibril Jemal

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 nation-
wide study to formulate a comprehensive policy guideline for protection and criminalization of child
sexual abuse in Ethiopia.
Keywords: Children, sexual abuse, psychosocial consequences, crime, Addis Ababa, child protection

INTRODUCTION of the Child (CRC) explicitly states that sexual

acts are assumed to be crime and punishable by
Child sexual abuse, using children for sexual the law. It asserts the child’s right to be protected
gratification of adult, is a criminal act committed against all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation
against children which probably is one of the least including being forced to engage in unlawful
acknowledged and least explored forms of child sexual activities, prostitution and pornography (1).
abuse in Ethiopia. The Convention on the Rights

Department of Psychology, Jimma University. E-mail: jibjem@gmail.com

60 Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 1 March 2012

Although almost three decades have passed since abused including verbal or physical contacts (10).
its recognition, researchers have not yet reached at In a similar study, samples of hospital reports
a universal consensus on which acts to count as show that 61.7% of alleged sexual abuse cases
child sexual abuse and which are not. Scholars in were targeted against children (11). Nevertheless,
this area generalize that it is a very difficult task to the fact that few researches being conducted;
estimate any form of deviance in the general negative societal attitude of reporting the
population particularly sexual offending targeted incidence and limited access to health facilitates
against children (2).In particular, finding exact created difficulty in presenting accurate estimation
number of child sexual abuse cases actually of child sexual abuse in developing countries
occurring is almost impossible (3). The problem of including sub-Saharan Africa (12).
obtaining accurate statistics on the prevalence of In relation to victim’s relationship to abusers,
child and adolescence sexual abuse can be some estimates reveal that out of the total reported
attributed to several factors. For example, child sexual abuse cases, 50% of them were
inconsistencies in the definitions given to what abused by someone the children know, close and
constitute child sexual abuse (4); it is committed trust while about 30-40% were committed by
in “complete secrecy” and most victim children do family members (incest) (12). And the remaining
not report as they are “too ashamed to talk about 10-20% of the children were abused by strangers.
it.” (5) Here, it has to be noted that the results of such
Though growing body of researchers believe study provide estimates of the prevalence of
that child sexual abuse is dangerously growing sexual abuse in the population from which the
worldwide, prevalence rate of cases vary group is selected. Prevalence rates are predicted
depending on studies done in different places and based on the small percentages of reported sexual
time. A survey conducted on adults asking if they abuse crimes (7, 9). Nevertheless, such statistical
were sexually abused as children identified that figures indicate only the tip of the iceberg. It is
approximately 20% of adult women and 5% to predicted that if all sexual abuse cases were
10% of adult men in the United States experienced identified and recorded, the data would be very
sexual abuse at some time in their childhood(3). shocking.
Most survey findings seem consistent with the Generally, it has been shown that
general trends that female children, compared with experiencing trauma, including sexual
their male counterparts, are more likely to have victimization can have an effect on the child’s
suffered sexual abuse. In United States, the risk of ability to function normally. Children experience
sexual abuse towards girls is two times greater various short-term and/or long-term effects as a
than boys (6). For instance a study conducted result of sexual victimization. Post-Traumatic
on796 college students indicated that 19% of Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most common
women and 9% of men had experienced some psychological impact of child sexual abuse while
form of sexual abuse as children (7). Similarly, a many victims frequently suffer from depression,
national survey conducted in England, concluded anxiety, promiscuity, general behavior problems,
that 3.2% of girls and 0.6% of boys have reported poor self-esteem and disruptive behavior disorders
that they were victims of sexual assault involving (12); and clinically significant disorders, such as
physical contacts (8). dissociative disorders, substance-related disorders
Research evidence on child sexual abuse as well as eating disorders (13). A case-control
incidence in Ethiopian is scarce. Despite this, the comparative analysis further identified that,
rate of reports accentuates serious concern. A children who were victims of sexual abuse in
cross-sectional study conducted in Addis Ababa Ethiopia suffered from delicate psycho-social
identified child sexual abuse prevalence rate of assistance, strong feeling of guilt and perceived
38.5 % among the general public, out of which the environment as full of threat (14).
29% were committed by victims’ family members Furthermore, as children mature to adulthood,
and 68% of them were victimized by adults the they can experience impairments in social and
children knew (9). A similar study done in South occupational functioning. This includes
west Ethiopia also revealed that 68.7% of High isolation/withdrawal, phobias, aggression, poor
School girls have reported that they were sexually work performance and disturbed interpersonal
 The Child Sexual Abuse Epidemic… Jibril J. et al 61

relationships (13). The effect of child sexual abuse 2. For the purpose of identifying the
is not only limited to host of psychological and demographic variables of victim children, the
psychiatric problems but also to physical situation of the sexual abuse as well as
manifestations, which include difficulty in
consequences, it was necessary to collect data
walking or sitting, bruises, bleeding or itching in
genital area or the mouth, pregnancy or sexually from selected samples of victim children.
transmitted disease, especially among preteens and And this was done in three NGOs namely
repeated urinary infections (15). In addition, Integrated Family Service Organization
engaging in unsafe sex, having many sexual (IFSO), Forum on Street Children Ethiopia
partners, earlier sexual initiation, unplanned (FSCE) and Organization for Protection and
pregnancy and higher risk of infection with STDs Rehabilitation of Female Street Children
including HIV/AIDS are also common
(OPRFS) which were working on psycho-
consequence of child sexual abuse (16).
In summary, though child sexual abuse is a social interventions including medical,
universal phenomenon, sources of understanding psychological, educational and financial
the magnitude, factors and consequences of the supports.
incidences in developing countries like Ethiopia is During the time of data collection in the three
scanty because of socio-cultural reasons. Thus, organizations, a total population of 203 sexually
cases presented to hospitals and the police would abused children (197 girls and 6 boys) were
be the major source of such studies and these data getting counseling and rehabilitation services. Out
are important though they may leave many of the 203 sexually abused children, 167 (6 boys
questions unanswered. In general, the objectives and 161 girls) were getting the service from IFSO,
of the study was to review child sexual abuse 30 (all girls) from FSCE and the remaining 6 (all
cases presented to Child Protection Units of Addis girls) from OPRIFS. Even though the age of
Ababa Police and to identify circumstances that beneficiary children ranged from preschoolers to
surrounds the sexual victimization incidences. 18 years old, children between the ages of 11 – 18
years and those who took the service for one year
METHODS AND MATERIALS and more were selected for the study. The
rationale behind selecting this group of samples
The study was done in Addis Ababa City from was that they are believed to give adequate
January 15 to June 20, 2006. Data was collected information than children of early and middle
from Child Protection Units of Addis Ababa childhood period. Thus, total samples of 64
Police Commission as well as three local non- respondents were taken from the three
governmental organizations providing organizations.
psychosocial support to child victims of sexual Ethical clearance was obtained from
abuse. The data collection task was accomplished department of psychology, Addis Ababa
in the following two steps. University. Accordingly, an official letter was
1. Data regarding the overall reported crime written to Addis Ababa Police Commission and
cases against children, including child sexual the three selected organizations. On behalf of the
abuse, was collected from the Addis Ababa children, the project coordinators of each
Police Commission. The commission has a organization gave consent. After permission was
secured, discussion was held with counselors and
special unit organized to exclusively deal
social workers in the respective organizations
with crime cases committed by or against regarding the ethical issues and data collection
children in 13 sub-cities of the capital. procedures.
Mainly, it assists victims of child sexual In fact, so as to safeguard the identity of
abuse with legal aids and refers victims to victim children, external research assistants were
institutions providing psycho-social and not involved. Instead, the data were collected only
rehabilitation supports. by the staff members from the respective
organizations, under the supervision of the
principal investigator. In addition, strict
62 Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 1 March 2012

confidentiality was assured through anonymous

recording, and computer based coding of RESULTS
questionnaires, data analysis and kept in safe
place. Overall, the Addis Ababa Child Protection Units
Before respondents start completing the semi- database illustrates that between July 2005 and
structured questionnaires, counselors and social December 2006, about 1666 different forms of
workers gave brief orientation on the purpose and crime cases were committed against children. Out
method of completion. The study variables, which of these, 383 (23%) cases of child sexual abuse
included the demographic variables, the were reported during the stated period. This is an
relationship between victim and perpetrator, time average of 21.3 children who reported that they
and place of the initial sexual abuse incidence and were sexually abused each month from July 2005
perceived psychological and physical to December 2006 (Table 1).
repercussions following the victimization were
assessed.

Table 1. Distribution of Alleged Sexual Abuse Cases across Age and Sex, Addis Ababa, 2006.

Sex
Age Range Male Female Total
Freq. Percent Freq. Percent Freq. Percent
1-9 12 3.13 95 24.81 107 27.94
9-15 28 7.31 225 58.75 253 66.06
16-18 2 0.52 21 5.48 23 6.0
Total 42 10.96 341 89.04 383 100
Source: Child Protection Units-Addis Ababa Police Commission, June 2006

Data from selected samples of victim children was Table 2. Socio – Demographic Information of
examined to see the demographic variables of Respondents, Addis Ababa, 2006.
victim children, their relationship with
perpetrators and the psycho-social experiences
Variable Frequency %
respondents were undergoing. Hence, data
collected from victims in the three NGOs (IFSO, Sex
FSCE and OPRIFS) were examined. Male 0 0
The data presented in table 2 reveals that all Female 64 100
participants (64 client children) are female Age
children. The subjects’ age ranged from 11 to 18 11-14 18 28.1
years. Those who are between 11 and 14 15-18 46 71.9
constitute 28.1% of the total samples and the Total 64 100
remaining 71.9% of them are between 15 and 18 Age at the time
years of age. With respect to educational profile of of sexual abuse
respondents, 70.3% of them are in elementary and 5-8 11 17.2
junior secondary school levels while the remaining
9-12 19 45.3
25% are high school and preparatory class
students. 13-16 24 31.5
Grade Level
2-4 13 20.3
5-8 32 50
9-12 16 25
 The Child Sexual Abuse Epidemic… Jibril J. et al 63

Table 3 reflects two important familial variables

of respondents. Children who indicated that they Table 4. Description of the Sexual Abuse
live with both parents and those who live with Incidence, Addis Ababa, 2006.
their relatives are proportionally equal in number
(26.6%) each followed by “others” (23.5%). The Variables Frequency %
rest 18.8% live only with their mothers; whereas Place of Incident
1% of the total respondents live with father. Victim’s home 39 60.9
School 3 4.7
Table 3. Living Condition of Respondents, Addis Hotel room 2 3.1
Ababa, 2006. Sport field 2 3.1
Neighbor 4 6.3
Living Condition Frequency Percentage Unknown* 14 21.9
Live with both parents 17 26.6 Time of the sexual
Live with relatives 17 26.6 incidence
with mother only 12 18.8 Morning 13 20.3
With father only 1 1.6 Afternoon 12 18.8
Unknown* 15 23.5 Evening 39 60.9
Total 64 100 Way of abuse
*respondents live with their employers, on the By trickery 37 57.8
street or unwilling to mention Use of force/threat 23 35.9
Using drug 4 6.3
Total 64 100
*either they do not know, remember or unwilling
to mention

In order to observe the situational analysis of the

sexual abuse incidences, respondents were asked
to indicate the time, place and the approach the
perpetrator used for the sexual victimization.
Accordingly, the majority of respondents
mentioned that they were abused in their own
home, after the sunset (6:00 pm) being tricked by
the perpetrator in different ways.
Figure 1. Descriptions of Victims Relationship to
Perpetrators, Addis Ababa, 2006.
All concerns identified by respondents are found
to be related to common reactions of child sexual
The perpetrator’s relationship to the victims is
victimization as mentioned by other researchers.
depicted in a pie-chart, classified in to nine major
Theoretical explanations and research findings has
categories. The data shows that a greater number
also substantiated that different victim children
of respondent children were victimized by
experience the consequence of their abuse
someone they closely know. Accordingly, family
differently. Accordingly, younger children
members, relatives, neighbors, friends, teachers,
experience more severe physical complications
employers and a priest in general constitute 73.4%
than those in post-puberty age group.
of all abusers. But the remaining 26.6% of
perpetrators were reported to be strangers the
children never met (Fig 1).
64 Ethiop J Health Sci. Vol. 22, No. 1 March 2012

Table 5. Summary of major psychological and physical experiences as a result of the sexual victimization.

Psychological reactions Physical reactions

-Symptoms of anxiety (nine respondents) -Pain during urination
-Feeling lonely (five respondents) -Repeated heart attack
-Easily irritated -Abdominal pains
-Verbal and physical aggressiveness
- Frequently break down
-Attempted to run away from home
-Fear of males
-Poor academic performance
-Attempt to commit Suicide

DISCUSSION which indicates their vulnerability for the

problem.
Most estimates of the distribution of sexual The demographic variables of respondents
offenders as well as victims in the general indicated that three fourth of the victims came
population are derived from the forensic data, that from single-parent families and other care takers,
is, samples of those whose victimization have suggesting greater chance of being left alone and
been directly reported to the concerned legal vulnerability for potential perpetrators.
institutions/police and hospitals. For this particular Surprisingly enough, similar proportions of
study, the 18 months (between July 2005 and respondents were sexually abused by someone
December 2006) reported data was obtained from victims knew and trust. This implies that greater
Addis Ababa Police Commission to examine the number of incidences remain unreported as
prevalence rate. This is because, there was no victims may feel shameful, fear of being punished,
reliable data recorded before July 2005 regarding labeling, court process, mistrusted and blamed,
crimes committed against children including child especially if the victim child is reliant on the
sexual abuse. Even the existing data does not perpetrator(5). In other instances, children can also
reveal the nature and magnitude of reported cases be sexually abused by the legal personnel, whom
of child sexual abuse due to lack of they greatly depend on for their security. The
comprehensive data management system. police may threaten to arrest innocent street
The data clearly shows that only small children to force them involve in sexual activities
proportion of child sexual abuse is reported out of and victimization could continue in the correction
the total incidences actually occurring in the centers as well (17).
metropolitan. Still, such cross-sectional row Child sexual abuse can vary along a number
official data may not resolve the controversy of dimensions including frequency, duration, age
whether there is increment in the actual incidence at onset, and relationship of victim to perpetrator.
or more cases are brought to the law enforcement The main groups of perpetrators in this study were
authorities. Yet, it can be used as a base to neighbors followed by strangers. This finding
produce some implications for the scientific coincides with previous study done in Ethiopia
community as well as for those concerned bodies. (10) suggesting that children victims of sexual
According to the figures obtained from the abuse were not properly monitored by their
police department, about 21 children on average parents and care givers or they are not in a
were sexually abused each month during the situation to understand the act itself as sexual
reported period and the majority of victims were abuse. Nevertheless, it appears contradictory but
young female children. During the eighteen important to recognize that children living with
months stated, about 89% of victims were found their biological parents, as long as they are not
to be female children and the remaining 11% were offenders, have a greater advantage of being
males. Similarly, the data obtained from the three protected as compared to those who live with
organizations reveals that more female victims are relatives, legal guardians and those living on the
receiving support for sexual abuse in Addis Ababa street.
 The Child Sexual Abuse Epidemic… Jibril J. et al 65

Despite the general truth that child sexual abuse shows that children require closer supervision
can happen anywhere and anytime, children who by parents and responsible and emotionally
reported that they were victimized in their home matured care givers.
took the greater proportion. This is because home
o Studies focusing on important factors (e. g
may increase accessibility for sexual predators to
catch their pray and hiding the incidence from poverty and social and cultural climate in
potential witnesses. Generally, the fact that there multi-cultural society) to sexual abuse can be
is no clearly designated riskier or safer place for used to get ways of reducing risk of
sexual victimization targeted against children, it victimization and increase prevention
would be relevant to consider the psychological mechanisms.
make-up of perpetrators. In this regard, it is o More comprehensive nation-wide research on
identified that the motivation of the perpetrator;
sexual violence against children may bring
the resolution of internal barriers; dealing with the
resistance of the potential victim as well as out the whole picture of the issue assisting
controlling external barriers are preconditions to for policy making, preventive measures and
be met for perpetrators commit a wide variety of therapeutic interventions.
sexual crime (18).
In conclusion, limited and inadequately ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
documented official records of child sexual abuse
cases may not provide a comprehensive picture of The material and financial support for this study
the problem in a particular community. However, was secured from the Office of Research and
the researcher acknowledges that the existing Publication, Jimma University. Besides I extend
documents, which are relevant in some aspects, our heartfelt gratitude to persons who co-operated
contribute to implications for prevention, with me during data collection and data entry.
treatment, follow-up as well as design for new
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