Perceived factors for non-disclosure of school related sexual violence on advanced level secondary school girls in Sumbawanga municipality, Rukwa region-Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual violence in schools remains invisible limiting the interventions to end violence in schools which are gender geared depriving the rights of girls to acquire quality and equitable education. Response to any form of sexual related violence depends on disclosure of the problem which is determined by individual, family, and community factors. Objective of the study: To explore perceived factors for non-disclosure of school related sexual violence on Advanced Level secondary school girls. Methods: An explanatory qualitative study design using qualitative method in data collection was used. Purposive sampling technique was used for selecting police gender desk officers, lawyers, social walfare officers, and teachers while convenient sampling technique was used for parents and advanced secondary school girls. In-depth interviews were used to collect data from 40 participants (students, teachers, ward executive officers, social welfare officers, police gender desk officers, parents and legal officer) based on the principle of saturation level of the information. The thematic analysis approach was used in analyzing the data. The findings were presented in forms of themes and subthemes. Results: The study findings revealed several perceived factors for non-disclosure of school related sexual violence on advanced Level secondary school girls in Sumbawanga Municipality. These factors are grouped into individual factors such as feelings of shame, a low level of awareness, fear of retaliation and repercussions; family factors such as maintaining family reputation, poverty, social stigma and rejection, informal negotiations at the family level, lack of family support, and community factors, which include cultural norms and beliefs and maintaining school reputation. Conclusion: Non-disclosure of sexual violence remains a public health challenge in Sumbawanga municipality. This has been influenced by feelings of shame, a low level of awareness, fear of retaliation and repercussions. The school administration in collaboration with the Sumbawanga municipal education office should provide comprehensive training for teachers and parents on how to help students handle fear through trauma-informed approaches. Additionally, the community leaders in collaboration with the Sumbawanga vi municipal authority should educate parents on how to help students handle fear through trauma-informed approaches as well as improve awareness programs in secondary schools through preparing events, festivals, the use of mass media such as radio and TV, posters, and songs to increase understandings among students.