Half of SA children live with violence

MORE than half of South Africa’s children experienced physical violence by a guardian, teacher or relative.

This finding was made through population-based prevalence studies by the South African Child Gauge, which has raised concerns over “widespread” violence against children.

It said the country lacked systematic research on the extent and range of experiences, according to its ninth annual review published by the Children’s Institute at UCT.

The review was produced in partnership with Unicef, the programme to Support ProPoor Policy Development in the Presidency, World Vision South Africa, the FNB Fund and UCT’s Safety and Violence Initiative.

The report said incidents of sexual violence were known to be under-reported – “a disturbing reality, considering that 50 percent of the more than 45 000 contact crimes against children reported in the 2013/ 2014 crime stats were sexual offences”.

It further noted that no significant studies on violence against children with disabilities – who were believed to be more at risk – existed. The twoprovince study found that one third of participating children experienced emotional abuse.

The use of physical punishment at schools was also still prevalent in spite of it being banned almost 20 years ago.

While dating and interpersonal violence among men was peaking in the teenage years, children experienced different forms of violence – such as infanticide or abandonment – across different life stages.

The director of UCT’s Children’s Institution, Shanaaz Mathews, said these experiences affected children’s development, learning ability, selfesteem and emotional security.

At risk

“Many families in South Africa are placed at risk by poverty, intimate partner violence and substance abuse… parenting programmes can play a major role in providing essential support to help such families raise children in supportive ways,” she said.

Hervé Ludovic de Lys, Unicef ’s representative, said it was possible to see a dramatic reduction in violence against children in a relatively short time by implementing the right strategies, allocating enough resources and by mobilising the highest political will.

Childline’s Joan van Niekerk said the Health Department could help identify caregivers and children at risk and refer them to social services.