Parenting and Child Sexual Abuse in Tanzania: The Case of Micheweni District, Pemba

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of parenting on child sexual abuse in Tanzania with reference to Micheweni District in Pemba. Three specific objectives were used to achieve the aim, namely: To examine the level of understanding of child sexual abuse among parents, to assess the causes of child sexual abuse, and last the response of parents to child sexual abuse. The study was guided by Attachment theory to recognize the role of parents and community in protecting children against CSA. The study had a sample size of 100 research subjects, where sexually abused children, police officers, students, teachers and social workers were the research subjects. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to collect data from research subjects. Microsoft excels and thematic analyses were used to analyze data. The findings indicate that 15% of parents had awareness of CSA practices, beliefs and myths 25% were leading factors that cause CSA followed by 20% indicates that poor parental care as the next leading cause. Moreover, to the third objective indicates that 40% reporting CSA cases to the police station while 30% of CSA cases reported to school. The study concludes that boys are respectively affected by CSA than girls, though due to myth and beliefs, perpetrators have allowed to take advantage of the current situation, this is because parents think boys are safe against CSA unlike girls. Therefore, this study recommends education for people in the study community particularly parents on the importance good parental care and creating awareness on the negative impacts of CSA activities. Keywords: Child, Parent, Sexual Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse