Child-on-child violence has rights groups worried
AN INCREASE in child-on-child violence has child rights organisations worried, and they have blamed children regularly experiencing and witnessing violence in their homes and neighbourhoods for the increase.
Molo Songololo director Paric Solomons said children act out, settle scores and bully other children while also committing serious and fatal assault, stabbings and shootings to emulate everyday activities.
“Many South African children live in very violent communities where they are exposed to or are threatened by violence every day and eventually they themselves become violent. Although gangs and gang violence is a factor, it is not the only contributor.
“Interpersonal violence, social violence, structural violence, political violence and institutional violence all contribute to the cycle of violence. We must examine all these to understand why South Africa has such a high crime and violence rate and why our children are so violent. Our homes, schools and public institutions do not encourage non-violence,” he said.
Recent incidents involve a boy, 8, wounded in a shooting in Manenberg on Saturday. A girl, 4, lost her left eye and a girl, 15, was shot in the foot in a gang shoot-out in Hanover Park. A boy, 14, was shot and killed while another 14-year-old was injured in crossfire shootings in Hanover Park last month.
Solomon said the local community, parents and child support programmes and interventions were crucial. Stopping and preventing violent gangs was critical, as were promoting non-violent principles, values and programmes in government and civil society.
Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said child violence often went unreported and did not receive the attention it deserved,
“The Western Cape leads in crimes committed by children and child murders. This is indicative of the prevalence of violence in the home and in their communities. Children, particularly in the Cape Flats are exposed to violence at extreme rates. This needs to be addressed.”