'n Maatskaplikewerk–ondersoek na die noodsaaklikheid van 'n bewusmakingsprogram vir adolessente rakende seksuele misbruik

Abstract

Adolescents are at high risk of becoming victims of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse has a remarkable impact on adolescents. Together with the high expectations that this stormy adolescent period places on a person, early intervention is especially important. It is readily accepted that early intervention may prevent serious disturbances in adulthood. Although, adolescents in general are not prone to getting help. The purpose of the research was to investigate the necessity of an awareness program for adolescents concerning sexual abuse. The purpose was further to make recommendations on the development of an effective awareness program. The research followed a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. 214 adolescents and 10 teachers from two high schools were involved in the investigation. Both groups of participants completed questionnaires. Adolescents completed quantitative questionnaires while teachers completed a qualitative schedule. Various themes were identified from the teacher's questionnaires and discussed. The study was explorative as well as descriptive in nature. The findings indicated a clear necessity for an awareness program for adolescents concerning sexual abuse. Recommendations on the development of such a program arose from the study.