The experiences of sexual violence among teenagers and adolescents in West Africa: A systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) and other related sexual violence, despite being regarded as a taboo subject in most African homes, has continued to remain prominent in Nigeria and other West African regions. The prevalence of child sexual abuse in West Africa has been recorded as high, but the exact figure cannot be determined. Among other reasons, this crime may be far worse due to the low level of disclosure due to fear of the perpetrator, the shame felt by the victim's family, and a complete lack of awareness that the victim is being abused. Therefore, this systematic review study explores the experiences of child sexual abuse among children and adolescents in West Africa, focusing on the consequences of abuse, societal responses, and coping methods employed by the victims.

Methods: A qualitative synthesised review approach was adopted to identify patterns and themes across the evidence that would be challenging to discern in a single study. The review utilised the SPIDER framework to structure the research. The databases searched include Medline, The Criminal Justice Abstracts database, and Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) through EBSCOhost. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were systematically assessed for quality using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) Qualitative Checklist. Thematic synthesis was employed to analyse the extracted data, leading to analytical themes that offer a comprehensive understanding of the impact of child sexual abuse in the region.

Results: The analysis involved thirty-one initial codes, which evolved into ten descriptive themes, culminating in four overarching themes. The themes revealed the complexity of these incidents and the influence of cultural and societal factors. Barriers to disclosure and help-seeking are significant challenges.

Conclusion: Comprehensive interventions and support services are essential to prevent sexual violence and aid survivors' recovery.