Citation

Menick DM. Child Abuse Negl. 2001; 25(1): 109-121.

Vernacular Title

La problematique des enfants victimes d'abus sexuels en Afrique ou l'imbroglio

Affiliation

Hôpital Départemental de Monatélé, République du Cameroun, Afrique.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11216464

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study has investigated the prevalence of sexual abuse cases in Cameroon (Africa) and approached the way these cases are solved. METHOD: 405 medical certificates have been reviewed within a three years period. RESULTS: Over 405 medical certificates, 19 cases of sexual abuse have been identified. All the victims were girls. The great majority of them were aged 10-14 (57.9%) and 15-19 (31.6%). The sexual assaults have been perpetrated out of the family. CONCLUSION: The results show evidence of sexual abuse cases in Africa. Friendly adjustments by private contracts and family interventions with financial amends for the parents of the victims are often preferred to the court of justice, because of poverty, cultural pressures and judicial injunctions.

Language: fr