The extent, nature, causes and consequences of child sexual abuse in M
atabeleland, Zimbabwe, are explored by an intersectoral working group
consisting of health, legal and AIDS prevention workers who were struc
k in the course of their work by the regularity with which they saw se
xually abused children infected with HIV and STDs. Methods used in thi
s study are record review, focus group discussions, structured and in-
depth interviews. Child sexual abuse cases form between 40-60% of the
rape cases brought to the attention of hospitals, police and court and
many more are believed to remain unreported. Half of the sexual abuse
in children is detected through STDs and some have HIV. The majority
of offenders are mature men known to the child. Factors influencing ch
ild sexual abuse are male dominance in society, men's professed inabil
ity to control sexual desire, and magic beliefs. Victims are traumatiz
ed by the abuse itself as well as by subsequent problems in family, he
alth and in court. Since child sexual abuse may endanger the life and
well-being of the child, it is a serious problem that requires urgent
action.