REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY TASK GROUP ON THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN

12 June 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREAMBLE

Structure of the Report

  1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Composition of the Task Group on Sexual Abuse of Children
1.2 Public Hearings
1.2.1 Aims
1.2.2 Process

  1. SUMMARY OF SUBMISSIONS

2.1 ACCESS

2.1.1 Problems
2.1.2 Recommendations

2.2 Aids Orphans Community Programme

2.2.1 Recommendations

2.3 Anonymous

2.4 Baby Rape and Child Abuse Investigation Task Team

2.4.1 Proposals

2.5 Cape Town Child Welfare Society

2.5.1 The Isolobantwana approach
2.5.2 Problems previously experienced
2.5.3 Attempts to address the concerns
2.5.4 Benefits of the Programme

2.6 Child Abuse Action Group

2.6.1 Problems -Social Services
2.6.2 Problems - Education
2.6.3 Problems - Judicial System
2.6.4 Recommendations

2.7 Child and Family Welfare Society of Pietermaritzburg
2.8 Child Protection Programme, University of the Western Cape

2.8.1 Problems

2.8.2 Recommendations

2.9 Childline-South Afric

2.9.1 Childline's services
2.9.2 Childline's experiences
2.9.3 Causal factors
2.9.4 Solutions to the problem

2.10 Children's Institute, University of Cape Town

2.10.1 Underlying causes of sexual abuse of children
2.10.2 Recommendations

2.11 Children's Rights Centre
2.12 CIET Africa

2.12.1 Findings
2.12.2 Social implications
2.12.3 Responses
2.12.4 Additional findings

2.13 Clemenshaw, Dot
2.14 Commun-'I'-Care Project 2002
2.15 Community Law Centre, University of the Western Cape

2.15.1 Problems
2.15.2 Recommendations

2.16 Concerned Citizens Against Pornography (CCAP)
2.17 Department of Education

2.17.1 Policies
2.17.2 Programmes
2.17.3 Legislation
2.17.4 Inter-Departmental Initiatives

2.18 Department of Health

2.18.1 Problems
2.18.2 Programmes

2.19 Department of Home Affairs

2.19.1 Defining Child Pornography
2.19.2 Effects of Child Pornography
2.19.3 Legislation and Conventions Dealing with Child Pornography
2.19.4 Findings
2.19.5 Recommendations

2.20 Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

2.20.1 Policies and Legislation
2.20.2 Minimum sentences
2.20.3 Repeat offenders.
2.20.4 Provisions for rape victims to testify.
2.20.5 Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA)
2.20.6 Inter-Departmental initiatives

2.21 Department of Safety and Security

2.21.1 Policies and Legislation
2.21.2 Programmes

2.21.2.1 Internal Programmes
2.21.2.2 External Programmes

2.21.3 Inter-Departmental initiatives

2.22 Department of Social Development

2.22.1 Introduction
2.22.2 Policies
2.22.3 Programmes
2.22.4 Legislation
2.22.5 Inter-Departmental Initiatives

2.23 Domestic Violence Helpline, Durban

2.23.1 Problems
2.23.2 Recommendations

2.24 Donald Fraser Hospital
2.25 Dr Yusuf Dadoo Primary School
2.26 Dyanti, Felicia

2.26.1 Problems

2.27 Far North Regional Network on Violence Against Women

2.27.1 Challenges Facing Rural Areas
2.27.2 Recommendations

2.28 It's Your Move Youth Action Group

2.28.1 Target groups for CSEC
2.28.2 Factors that impact on the CSEC
2.28.3 Who are the offenders?
2.28.4 Challenges
2.28.5 Recommendations

2.29 Johannesburg Child Welfare Society

2.29.1 Problems
2.29.2 Recommendations

2.30 Kadalie, Rhoda

2.30.1 Defining abuse
2.30.2 Causes of child abuse
2.30.3 The institutions responsible for protecting children
2.30.4 Proposed measures to protect children
2.30.5 Recommendations for the prevention of child sexual violence

2.31 Kandawn, Masego
2.32 Khosa, L
2.33 Khuma Multi-Purpose Organisation

2.33.1 Recommendations

2.34 Lucas, Shabalala
2.35 Maister, Dolly
2.36 Maklina, P M
2.37 Mayne, Anne

2.37.1 Recommendation

2.38 Medical Research Council (MRC)

2.38.1 Problems
2.38.2 Causes of rape:
2.38.3 Recommendations

2.39 Mkhabela, Pleasure

2.40 Molo Songololo

2.40.1 Definition of sexual exploitation
2.40.2 Actions that constitute trafficking of children
2.40.3 United Nations statistics on trafficking of children
2.40.4 Factors that contribute to trafficking
2.40.5 Who are the affected children?
2.40.6 Legislation and Conventions
2.40.7 Perpetrators and methods used
2.40.8 Findings
2.40.9 Recommendations

2.41 Moseki, Joshua
2.42 Mrwebi, Ms.
2.43 Msibi, Prudence
2.44 Nadel

2.44.1 Problems
2.44.2 Child Care Act
2.44.3 Sexual Offences Act
2.44.4 Recommendations

2.44.4.1 Child Care act
2.44.4.2 Sexual Offences Act

2.45 National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL)

2.45.1 Problems
2.45.2 Recommendations

2.46 Palliative Medical Institute

2.46.1 Problems
2.46.2 Recommendations

2.47 Pandor, Naledi

2.47.1 Recommendations

2.48 Phaphamani Rape Crisis Counselling Centre
2.49 Professional Board for Psychology

2.49.1 Aim of the Study
2.49.2 Findings of the Study
2.49.3 Recommendations

2.50 RAPCAN

2.50.1 Problems
2.50.2 Reasons for the high rape statistics of children:
2.50.3 Factors influencing low reporting rate:
2.50.4 Recommendations

2.51 Regional Child Abuse Protection Committee - KwaZulu Natal Midlands
2.52 Santho-Qhokotswane, Mamokhothu
2.53 Shabangu, Jimmy
2.54 Shadow Pictures

2.54.1 Problems
2.54.2 Recommendations

2.55 Sigwela, S G
2.56 Silangwe, Nozipho
2.57 Smith, Charlene
2.58 Social Workers' Association of South Africa

2.58.1 Concerns and problems experienced
2.58.2 Recommendations

2.59 Soul City

2.59.1 Problems
2.59.2 Recommendations

2.60 South African Catholic Bishops' Conference

2.60.1 Problems
2.60.2 Recommendations

2.61 South African Human Rights Commission

2.61.1 Findings
2.61.2 Recommendations

2.62 South African Law Commission (SALC)

2.62.1 Draft Sexual Offences Act

2.62.1.1 Problems
2.62.1.2 Recommendations

2.62.2 Child Care Legislation

2.62.2.1 Key provisions of the Act:

2.63 South African National Council for Child Welfare

2.63.1 Causes of Sexual Violence
2.63.2 Factors Preventing Effective Service Delivery
2.63.3 Recommendations

2.64 Standing Together to Oppose Pornography (STOP)

2.64.1 Recommendations

2.65 Third Law

2.65.1 Recommendations

2.66 Tjabane, Thembeka

2.66.1 Recommendations

2.67 Trollip, J E
2.68 UN Child Justice Project

2.68.1 Problems
2.68.2 Legislation - Child Justice Bill
2.68.3 Recommendations

2.69 United Christian Action

2.69.1 Problems
2.69.2 Recommendations

2.70 University of Fort Hare. Department of Private Law

2.70.1 Causes and contributing factors
2.70.2 Legal considerations
2.70.3 Recommendations

2.71 University of Zululand
2.72 Van Rensburg, Pat
2.73 White, Rose
2.74 Women Against Children and Community Abuse (WACCA) Advice Centre

2.74.1 Causes of Child Rape
2.74.2 Gaps in Existing Legislation
2.74.3 Recommendations

2.75 Youngleson, Michele

2.75.1 Recommendations

  1. THE TASK GROUP'S FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 Socio-economic factors
3.1.2 Societal attitudes
3.1.3 Recommendations

3.2 Social Development Services

3.2.1 Introduction
3.2.2 Legislative framework
3.2.3 Civil Society Organisations
3.2.4 Recommendations

3.3 Education

3.3.1 Introduction
3.3.2 Legislative Framework
3.3.3 Life Skills Education
3.3.4 Recommendations

3.4 Health issues related to sexual abuse of children

3.4.1 Introduction
3.4.2 Medical response to abuse
3.4.3 Recommendations

3.5 Criminal Justice System

3.5.1 South African Police Service

3.5.1.1 Introduction
3.5.1.2 Review of the Sexual Offences Act:
3.5.1.3 Recommendations

3.5.2 Court system

3.5.2.1 General issues and effective prosecution
3.5.2.2 Evidence
3.5.2.3 Protection of survivors and witnesses
3.5.2.4 Bail
3.5.2.5 Sentencing
3.5.2.6 Recommendations

3.5.3 Correctional Services

3.5.3.1 Introduction
3.5.3.2 Child sex offenders
3.5.3.3 Adult sex offenders
3.5.3.4 Register of Sex Offenders
3.5.3.5 Recommendations

3.6 International instruments for the protection of children

3.6.1 Introduction
3.6.2 International Law Framework

3.6.2.1 International treaties binding on South Africa
3.6.2.2 Instruments not signed or ratified by South Africa and therefore not binding on the Republic

3.6.3 Recommendations

3.7 Commercial sexual exploitation

3.7.1 Introduction
3.7.2 Recommendations

3.8 Media

3.8.1 Introduction
3.8.2 Protecting survivors from media exposure
3.8.3 Recommendations

  1. CONCLUSIONS

4.1 Overall Findings
4.2 Overall Recommendations

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