Challenges in counselling sexually abused children in selected victim support units in Lusaka District Zambia

Abstract: The problem for this study emerged from the fact that little was known on the challenges faced in counselling offered to sexually abused children in Victim Support Units. The study was guided by two objectives namely:to investigate the challenges in the provision of counselling; to explore challenges faced by sexually abused children in accessing counselling. Method: Case study design was used. Data was collected using: interviews, focused group discussion, questionnaire and non- participant observation. The sample was drawn from 7 selected VSU in Lusaka District. It comprised of 100 participants consisting 8 were VSU supervisors, 30 were VSU counselors who were selected using purposive sampling, 31were sexually abused children and 31were parents/care givers who were selected and traced using purposive as well as snow ball sampling. Findings: The findings of this study elucidated that, in spite of VSU being given the mandate to provide counselling, it was found that there were many challenges faced in the provision and accessing counselling services. Apart from that, majority sexually abused children did not receive counselling. Furthermore, the study revealed that all categories of respondents were facing various challenges from unsuitable and inadequate rooms for counselling, lack of privacy and confidentiality during the counselling process, fear of the police by children and lack of trust in the police by some parents/care givers. The study recommended that, VSU should implement the following: child counselling training to be provided to all VSU officers, increased access to counselling facilities for children at various levels, strengthening of community sensitization programmes on CSA and enhanced partnership with key stake holders in CSA to increase accessibility of various services.