Date of Conferral

2-7-2024

Date of Award

February 2024

Degree

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)

School

Psychology

Advisor

. Bethany Walters

Abstract

The sexual abuse of children is a worldwide traumatic event with potential for adverse long-term physical and psychological consequences. There has been a plethora of research in the Western societies that examined offenders of child sexual abuse. Due to a number of methodological limitations, the findings of these studies cannot be used to effectively explain African offenders of child sexual abuse. This study employed a quantitative non-experimental, descriptive research approach method to examine the demographic and criminological characteristics of adult men who sexually abused children in Namibia. The data were collected by reviewing 183 files of Namibian male offenders incarcerated for child sexual abuse. Binary logistic regression was used to measure the dependent variable, (number of victims sexually abused) against the independent variables (i.e., number of times sexually abuse, tertiary education attainment, being single and sexual activities) to predict single or multiple offending. The general strain theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. The results revealed that the independent variables were significant predictors of multiple sexual offending. Understanding factors that can predict multiple-victim offending not only assist to measure offending progression but also support the development of separate risk assessment instruments relevant for different types of offenders. This study can lead to positive social change by educating parents and schools about strategies used by opportunistic child sex offenders which could led to increased awareness and ultimately greater self-protection for children.

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