SA Children and bathing

The law doesn't stipulate anything. So there is no clear answer

sammy01 said:

The law doesn't stipulate anything. So there is no clear answer

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I agree. It's a "community standard" type of issue and opinions on that will vary.

Kingkong said:

So what would be the view on a 9 yr old female shower sharing with her father? And how would court view this?

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My personal view is that it's extremely inappropriate at the very least. As for a court, well I can't say - but I would certainly hope that their view is not too different from my own.

Kingkong said:

The child had repeatedly request for her father to not do this.

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At 9 years old, she is well and truly old enough to make that decision and be listened to.

Kingkong said:

But her father continued including washing the child's privates.
I know what my view of the situation is, considering other services have raised concern about the fathers conduct a number of times. But what is the courts view on this?

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As far as I'm concerned, this is sexual assault. Again, I can't speak for the courts, but I would be surprised if they saw it any differently in the circumstances you describe.

My personal opinion is that this kind of thing should be reported to the Police immediately. "No" means "No" - whether it comes from a 9yo, a 19yo, or a 90yo.

FFS - why not give us the details at the start rather than wasting our time...

What is the view of the court? no idea. It is a case by case deal here.

Take the kid to a dr. Get it reported and go from there. But I'd be stopping access based on the info above.

If you want to know just how serious this could be...

A quick search reveals that in SA, the conduct you describe could constitute "Aggravated indecent assault", for which the maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment.

Legal Services Commission of SA - Indecent Assault