...from broken innocence to a healthy future

The fieldwork of PhD student Kgauhelo Lekalakala received a boost recently when she attended the Infant Trust’s conference in Limpopo, South Africa.  Her research topic is: An examination of community discourses about sexual abuse of preschool children in Limpopo – South Africa. The Trust, which helps to relieve the problems caused by the sexual abuse of infants and small children in South Africa, is funding Kgauhelo’s studies jointly with the OU and there are plans for another co-funded student. 

Thanks to sponsorship from the Open University, the conference was a huge success and attracted a wide audience:  The office of the Premier of Limpopo Province, Sello Moloto, was represented, as were seven South African universities and many people in senior positions from the police, social services and child welfare. Organisers were delighted that the tribal leaders and traditional healers from the area also took part.
Infant Trust http://www.infant-trust.org.uk/

Research into Health and Social Care at the Open University focuses on the challenges that arise during the life course, using multidisciplinary and methodologically innovative approaches. For more information see:
http://www.open.ac.uk/hsc/research/research.php