A Compulsory Research Report Submitted to Mzumbe University – Mbeya Campus College in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Bachelor Degree of Laws (LL.B) of Mzumbe University
This study examines the Effectiveness of the Law Protecting Secondary School Girls Against Sexual Abuse in Tanzania. In this respect, it focuses on finding out the extent of Sexual Abuse Against Secondary School Girls, Shortcomings on existing laws and Weaknesses on investigatory, prosecutor and Adjudicatory machinery. The research also aimed at finding legal and practical challenges on curbing the existing calamity of Sexual Abuse on Secondary School Girls in Tanzania. The significance of the research is that it will be useful to different stakeholders in criminal justice such as police, policy makers, judiciary, the DPP’s office and parliament so as to ensure that they review the policies in order to amend laws which concerning protection to Secondary School Girls Against Sexual Abuse in Tanzania.
The researcher has been guided by three research question namely, Is the law adequate enough to protect secondary school girls against sexual abuse? Are the institutions responsible strong enough to curb the existing problem? What are the legal and practical challenges on enforcement of laws protecting secondary school girls against sexual abuse? The researcher used both primary and secondary data collection methods.
This study found out that despite of having number of penal laws, the incidents of sexual violence against secondary school girls are increasing day to day. There is poor cooperation from important witnesses especially Victim of the Offences, Gap on law of marriage Act which someone may use it to defeat penal law by marrying secondary school girl who is above 18 years. The Researcher further found that Judiciary and National Prosecution service office are strong enough but the Police (investigation machinery) is very weak in terms of detecting offences relating to sexual abuse and even those reported cases are poorly investigated and the investigation take long time as a result some cases are withdrawn by court.
It is generally recommended that in order to prevents/ curb the existing problem of increased sexual abuse the public should adequately educated on the existing laws especially on statutory rape, the Social welfare officers should have offices in every secondary school this will facilitate timely reporting of sexual offences incidents.