Child Abuse - What is it

CHILD RAPE & ABUSE
Hot Prospects - Cold facts - Young People and HIV/AIDS in South Africa, March, 2001
(abridged by SpeakOUt!)

This survey of South African youth was commissioned by the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation and is published by loveLife as a series of research reports to inform public understanding of the HIV epidemic and associated issues. For more information on the Foundation go to www.kff.org Major funding for loveLife is provided by the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation, the Bill and Melinda gates Foundation, USAID and UNICEF. Copyright on this report and the survey data is retained by the Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation. Additional copies of the report may be requested from loveLife c/o Box 45 Parklands 2121, fax (011) 447-0689 or e-mail talk@loveLife.org.za

A Portrait of young South Africa Young South Africans are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of South Africa. But most young South Africans fear they might not live to realize their dreams and that South Africa's future prospects may be overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS. The personal risk of HIV/AIDS, as well as it's impact on friends, families and the country's future are a major preoccupation. HIV is not the only thing worrying young South Africans: crime, violence and abuse are major concerns.
This picture emerges from the key findings of a nationally representative random sample of 2,000 South Africans aged 12-17 years interviewed as part of the biggest survey of South African teenagers. More than 40% of South Africans are under 15 years of age. These young South Africans are at great risk of HIV infection. At the current rate of infection more than 50% of South Africans under 15 today could die of AIDS-related causes in the next five to ten years.
A third of young South Africans live in households with less than R1,000 income per month. Approximately one third of African respondents reported going hungry and many live in homes that are overcrowded (65% of young South Africans do not have their own bedroom), and lack basic amenities such as electricity and sewerage. Most respondents said that if they had money they would spend it on food.
65% indicate that they are worried about their personal safety. Crime is the greatest concern (72%), but 62% of respondents cited the fear of sexual or physical abuse as a concern.
A third of boys and girls aged 12-17 have had sexual intercourse. One in five (18%) of this group reported having their first sexual experience at the age of 12 or younger. Sex is often used as a commodity in exchange for money or other forms of payment. Twenty-eight percent of young South Africans know people their age who have sex for money, and 16% of sexually experienced girls interviewed said they have had sex for money, drinks, food or other gifts.
Although nearly three quarters of respondents say they are positive about the future of South Africa, white and Indian youth are less positive, and 39% of all young South Africans indicate that they will probably leave South Africa someday. Although 8 in 10 respondents say they feel happy mixing with people of all races, 71% said they only have friends of their own race.