The study of child abuse is a complex one indeed. There are many
variables involved, each one of which or combination of which,
contribute to the end result, that is, the abused child. The
psychological implications to the abused child as well as the
implications to the family and society as a whole, are enormous.
It is for this reason that child abuse be seen not merely as a
family problem but as a community concern, and in the wider context,
as a concern for the whole society. In order to contain the problem
of child abuse effective steps must be taken in the management
thereof, by implementing programmes which are aimed not merely
a~ after the fact' or tertiary prevention, but at primary and
preven~ion as well.
In order to establish the nature and extent of child abuse among
the Indian population of the Durban municipal area, a thorough
search and study was made of all the files pertaining to child
abuse, within the specified year and area, at the various welfare
agenices, hospitals and courts, that is, the organizations which
are responsible for the social, medical and legal well-being of
abused children and their families. Furthermore, questionnaires
were distributed to service providers, that is, social workers,
teachers, legal professionals and doctors, to ascretain their views
on the problem.