Key informants’ perspectives about sexual victimisation of learners with intellectual disability in South Africa

Abstract

Sexual victimisation of children with intellectual disability is a serious problem that requires urgent attention if South Africa is to attain Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5 by 2030. This paper provides the perspectives of key informants on the sexual victimisation of children with intellectual disabilities in South Africa. Data were obtained from 32 key informants by means of focus group discussions and individual interviews conducted by the researcher at six schools catering specifically for learners with intellectual disability in Gauteng Province. Findings indicate that sexual victimisation of children with intellectual disabilities is pervasive. It occurs in the home, at school and within community spaces. Most incidents occur at home where they tend to be more frequent and of a longer duration than when occurring in other spaces. Gang-rape, sodomy, and abduction for the purposes of sexual exploitation are commonly reported at schools, whereas, in the wider community spaces, there are reports of boys with intellectual disabilities forming relationships with female adults or finding themselves at the centre of sex rings. Downplaying the sexual victimisation of children with intellectual disabilities is to deny their rights to safety and proper development. A robust, coherent and consistent response to the problem is therefore required, especially for the home.