Children are constantly threatened by violence

CHILDREN face violence across the multiple settings in which they live – their homes, schools and communities.

The most prevalent forms include physical violence and homicide, corporal punishment, sexual abuse and rape, emotional abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence (IPV), bullying, gang violence and xenophobic violence.

Yet the statistics depict only the tip of the iceberg with regard to the true extent of violence against children as there is significant under-reporting of violence and abuse.

With regard to childhood sexual abuse, the police’s national crime statistics show that sexual offences against children younger than 18 constitute more than half of the total crimes against children.

As many as 84% of child rapes are perpetrated by relatives, friends, acquaintances or neighbours of the child.

Nevertheless, research has shown that much crime goes unreported.

The country’s child homicide rate is high – a recent study, reflecting that 5.5 per 100 000 under 18, is double the World Health Organisation’s estimated global average of 2.4 (Children’s Institute).

Child abuse and neglect precede nearly half of all homicide cases.

The Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention said youth were primarily vulnerable to physical assault in the streets (41.3%), with many of these including the use of weapons (34.9%) and perpetrated by known people (40%).

In homes, where corporal punishment is legal, research has shown that more than half (57%) of parents with children under 18 report smacking their children at some point and roughly a third (33%) report using a belt or object to beat their children.

Although law prohibits the use of corporal punishment in schools, it is still a significant source of violence in many.

Although violence in schools extends beyond cases of bullying, it remains a significant contributor to pupils’ experiences of violence.

Surveys show that nationwide 19.4% of pupils report being members of gangs and 21.2% report being approached to join gangs.

The significant effects on the child and family impose a further cost to society.

This cost is incurred by the government through health care for the treatment of victims, by law enforcement and the criminal justice system for prosecuting offenders, and by child social services for the protection of children who have been victims of, and those who are vulnerable to, violence.

There is also the broader, longterm cost to society through the intergenerational transmission of violence and the lowered productivity, absenteeism and poorer quality of life resulting from the effects of violence suffered by workers in their childhood.

Childhood exposure to violence plays a role in further victimisation and the intergenerational transmission of violence.

Children, particularly boys, who have experienced or witnessed violence may be more likely to become perpetrators of violence in the future.

Children living in violent contexts can be socialised into accepting violence as a legitimate way of dealing with conflict, consequently using violence themselves and contributing to the cycle of violence.

Girls exposed to sexual abuse in childhood are more likely to be victims of sexual and physical abuse, including IPV, in the future, introducing a cycle of re-victimisation.

This intergenerational cycle of violence and re-victimisation contributes to sustained or increased levels of violence within society. What can you do? Report the matter to a social worker or to the police.

The levels of reporting cases appear to be lower, and this may be due to a lack of confidence in service providers.

However, it is mandatory to report, it is your duty, and you do it in good faith.

Remind children that they do have a right to talk and report their abuse to people who they feel comfortable with.

Ask your child today who the five people are that they would talk to – make it simple, use the hand, and allow children to identify a person on each finger.

But explore further on aspects that make them feel safe.

What is their safe place? Is it a place in the garden?

What is their safe colour? Blue, green…

What is their safe taste? Chocolate…

What is their safe touch? A teddy bear…

What is their safe smell? Mother’s curry…

What is their safe sound? The sound of laughter… or the sound of water…

Children in our current society face many challenges but we still need to create in them a sense of empowerment, dream, purpose, vision and a sense that they can and will be safe.

Note: the statistics and information in this article are consolidated from numerous resources.

• Naidoo is an independent children’s specialist and former director of Childline KZN.