This is another form of abuse that the abuser applies by
forcing another person, adult or child of different or same sex, to be involved
in a sexual act without consent (Olson and DeFrain, 2000:314). In many
countries, one of the root causes of sexual violence is the subordinate status
of women and girls. Itano (2009:32) considers discrimination and unequal power
relations in families as exposing women greatly to sexual abuse. Evidence by
Jewkes (2006), quoted in Zihindula (2009:14), reveals that South Africa ranges
among the countries with the highest rates of domestic sexual violence in the
world. As a matter of fact, the same writer adds that in 2001 alone about
50,000 women and girls were sexually abused in their families.
As regards sexual violence directed to children, the abuser
may be a parent or any other family member. Olson and DeFrain (2000:512) found
that sexual abuse on children is a serious problem that is on raise although it
is underreported. In line with Holmes (2003:72), teenagers and children may
suffer different domestic sexual abuses. The incestuous abuse is also known as
intra-familial sexual violence. Actually, incest recalls sexual activity of
any
category that is done by the individuals who belong to the
same wide or nucleus family. Furthermore, there also exists non-incestuous
abuse. It is also called extra familial sexual abuse. Such an abuse often
arises with the individuals who do not belong to the child's family. In South
Kivu, the incestuous abusers may be `grandparents, adopted children,
stepparents and in-laws' (Ruhamya, 2007). Incest remains a kind of exploitation
of teenagers by a family member. Such a sexual abuse is often committed between
`brothers and sisters, fathers and daughters, stepfathers and stepdaughters,
and uncles and nieces than between mothers and sons' (Russell 1996:43). On its
own, incest greatly damages the victim's psychology and so it fosters
persisting, long lasting sexual and social problems. Gorman (1991:93) believes
that incest goes beyond sexual contact as it includes `fondling, rubbing one's
genitals against a child and excessive or suggestive washing of a child's pubic
area'. In fact, the abuser does not consider whether the child liberally
involves in the sexual endeavour or even taking it as pleasurable. The child is
unable to provide informed approval to such an act. The above argument is what
makes `incest an abuser's misuse of power and authority' (Ruhamya, 2007).
Yet the abuser uses various tricky ways to take sex by
brutality, which obliges the victim to make love under physical pressure.
Accordingly in South Kivu, some parents defile their daughters and the WHO
(2005b) says that with the spread of HIV/AIDS, some fathers defile very young
girls and sometimes their own daughters to cure AIDS based on witch doctors'
advice. The men who force their daughters to join in unwanted, insecure or
degrading sexual activity ridicule themselves and bring shame to the whole
family (Longa and Bulonza, 2006:90). Sexual abusers tend to limit or destroy
the victim's sexual lust or reproductivity and sometimes, they exploit sexually
the victim.
Furthermore, sexual abusers may compel the victim to involve
in watching pornographies with them. The aim is to rouse the victim sexually
and finally involve in sexual acts. Mirindi(2003:76) found that
sexual abuse is often linked to physical abuse and sometimes they happen
simultaneously, or the sexual abuse may take place after physical abuse.
It is believed that one of the root causes of sexual violence
is the subordinate status of women and their being discriminated. Itano
(2009:32) considers discrimination and unequal power relations in families as
exposing women greatly to GBV and that addressing the disparity that exists in
every society is vital to their responses to the issue.
