Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Karel Kurst-Swanger

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global epidemic that became a national crisis affecting female adolescents in Jamaica. CSA occurs in all cultures, and prevention policies are well researched to address this problem. However, little is known about the influence that cultural norms have on CSA prevention policies in Jamaica. Other researchers have focused on CSA prevention policies, but none have explored the influences of cultural norms from the perception of law enforcement and child welfare workers. With the social-ecological model, this qualitative case study addressed the cultural norms influencing the enforcement of CSA prevention policies affecting Jamaican female adolescents. Snowball sampling technique was used to reach 10 participants who were Jamaican nationals with experience in law enforcement and child welfare. Data were collected from interviews and archival records on CSA prevention and statistics. Using Microsoft Excel, data were coded and categorized to identify themes. Results revealed that cultural norms influenced the enforcement of CSA prevention policies because these norms fostered an antiinformant culture where victims and witnesses were afraid to disclose sexual abuse. Also, it was culturally accepted for older men to be sexually involved with female adolescents with some parents encouraging the relationship for financial support. Findings also indicated that CSA prevention policies are affected by a female adolescent socioecology. Implications for positive social change include using this analysis to inform policymakers of the influences that cultural norms have on CSA prevention policies, strengthen current legislation, change cultural norms that condone CSA, and improve the public health of female adolescents.

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