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Despite extensive legislations and child protection policies, Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) remains a persistent problem across South African rural communities. CSA remains a challenging issue globally with evidence of emotional and psychological impacts on victims, families and professionals assigned to respond to these incidents. This paper aims to examine institutional and  systemic barriers to preventing CSA in rural areas, with focus on low reporting and effective response to CSA cases focusing on Community Policing Forum (CPF), police officers and social workers. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) the study adopted qualitative research approach to explore participants’ experiences of CSA investigation processes. Twenty-four participants: 5 CPF members, 15 police officers and 4 social workers were purposively selected. Data was collected through one-on-one semi structured interviews and analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA) informed by Braun and Clarke’s six phase approach. Three interrelated themes emerged: 1) insufficient knowledge, 2) Motivational fatigue, and 3) Dysfunctional institutional systems. Findings in this study revealed that failure to effectively respond to CSA emerges from inadequate facilities, individual capability and motivational fatigue. The study recommends clearly defined stakeholders’ roles, training, institutional support, and community-based prevention and awareness programmes. Furthermore, the study  recommends sustained intersectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration to address and eradicate barriers to CSA investigations through community-based programmes. Sustainable prevention method that can promote awareness, motivation, and effective collaboration to prevent, detect and diminish CSA are also essential to improve institutional accountability and ensure effective response to CSA in rural areas.

The alleged rape case of a child at East Luwu in 2019 was terminated due to lack of evidence. Because of the news from mass media, the case was reopened in 2021 but was obstructed due to the need to wait for new evidence. This article does not discuss the evidence but highlights the procedure for handling child sexual victims that are used by several institutions. There are several institutions that can be involved in helping accompany and handle cases involving children as victims. At regional levels, there is the Integrated Service Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A) whose duty is to give information, consultation on psychology and law, accompaniment and advocation, and services on medication and shelter. And the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia has the authority to start handling a criminal case. According to news from Vice.com, the case at North Luwu was originally reported by the victim’s mother to The Integrated Service Center for The Empowerment of Women And Children East Luwu. The officer then summoned the victim’s father who was the suspect. The officer reasoned that the mother’s report needed to be confirmed. The victim’s mother then reported the case to East Luwu Police Station. The police did an investigation, without the parents, law advisors, social workers, or even psychologists. This case then snowballed, and the evidence was put into question, without many highlights to the handling procedure that was used by The Integrated Service Center for The Empowerment of Women And Children officers and police force. How should the procedure on handling the child sexual victim have been done? If a mistake in the handling procedure occurred, are there any legal consequences? This article was developed as normative research, using statutory regulations, research results, and the opinion of law experts, as well as case progression from credible mass media.

This study sought to examine the influence of children's characteristics on the performance of Kenyan juvenile rehabilitation centers. The study was influenced by the Social Disorganization Theory. It also adopted a correlational research design involving a mixed-method approach in both data collection and data analysis. The population consisted of 64 staff working in 6 juvenile rehabilitation institutions in Nakuru County and 409 children admitted to these institutions. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents leading to a sample size of 10 staff members and 42 juvenile children. The research instruments were a questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, Pearson correlation independent sample t-test, and ANOVA. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique. The results established that the age and gender of the children did not have a significant influence on performance but the children's socio-economic background and family support had a significant influence. The study recommended that the family should be engaged in the rehabilitation process of the children

The purpose of this study is to explain the concept of a child witness according to the criminal evidence proving law, and how the protection for children as a witness, as well as how the strength of evidence of child testimony in the criminal justice system. This research is normative legal research that focuses on secondary data by describing the execution of religious courts in regulating child custody cases. The type of data used is the type of primary data and secondary data. Analysis of the data used is a qualitative way with the legislation approach, case approach, and analysis approach. The results showed that the concept of a child's Witness does not qualify as valid witness evidence. Children as Witnesses are entitled to receive legal protection as regulated in the Child Protection Act and the Criminal Justice System for Children and the Witness and Victim Protection Act. The strength of proof of a child's testimony only has value if it is connected with other evidence.