Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

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QUESTION 9What, if anything, should be done about violenceagainst children?Children found themselves in a dilemma when thisquestion was discussed. On the one hand, theywanted the violence to stop, yet they also knewthat the adult might respond to an intervention bybecoming entrenched in their anger. There was agenuine fear of reprisal, since they had to live withthese adults or see them at school the followingday.In response to the question, “What should bedone?” most children preferred non-punitiveinterventions. Although children often proposedFigure 2.17 Children’s opinion on whethersomething should be done15.2%Nothing should be doneIf I say something to anyone, he will say, “Golet him keep you!” He may even start beatingme more.10-year-old girl, Apac11.5%Nothing because itwill make it worse3.3%Don’t know70%Somethingshoud be doneWhen asked broadly, “Should something bedone,” 70 percent of children said somethingshould be done; 15.2 percent said nothing shouldbe done; and 11.5 percent said nothing shouldbe done because it would make things worse forchildren. When this last statement was explored,many children related stories of how the violencegot worse when other adults approached theissue insensitively. It is likely that these children,who were usually dependent on the perpetrator,were making a delicate calculation regarding thepotentially positive outcomes and the potentiallyadverse economic or emotional consequencesof an intervention. When the question was askedmore specifically with options attached (i.e., “Whatshould be done...”) more than 98 percent ofchildren chose an option that indicated their desirefor action.that legislation or local council bylaws be putin place, when this idea was further explored, itappeared that many children hoped these lawswould act as a deterrent and that no actual arrestsor prosecutions would be necessary.Figure 2.18 Children’s ideas for action to betaken when adults mistreatchildren,by sex of respon-Talk to parents about children’s rightsTalk to teachers about children’s rightsHave a place to help chldrenPolice should arrest adultsI don’t knowNothingOtherMaleFamales0 20 40 60 80 100% of respondents48 Part Two Children’s Experiences
Children’s suggestions focused on raisingawareness of children’s rights 15 and increasingsupport for children: 79.4 percent of the childrensaid other adults should talk to parents aboutchildren’s rights; 73.9 percent said teachers shouldbe sensitised to understand children’s rights; 73.5percent said that communities needed places thatresponded to children’s needs and assisted themwhen they reported violence. A comparativelylower percentage of children suggestedintervention by the police (56.9 percent).Girls preferred the options of sensitising teachersand developing community-based responses,with slightly higher frequency than boys. BoysFigure 2.19 Children’s ideas for action to be taken whenadults mistreat children, by age of respondentsTalk to parents aboutchildren’s rightsHave a place tohelp ChildrenTalk to teachersabout children’s rightsPolice shouldarrest adultsI don’t knowNothingOthersuggested police intervention with slightly higherfrequency than girls. This difference could berelated to the finding that boys experienced moresevere forms of physical violence compared togirls.Older children suggested more frequently thatteachers and parents should be engaged in adialogue, while younger children proposed morefrequently that there should be local responsemechanisms in place. This difference wouldsuggest that older children were less hopeful ofany response mechanism actually resolving theissue to their satisfaction. In discussions, manyolder children expressed doubt about whetheran adult would side with them againstanother adult.15-18 years8-14 yearsMost children urged caution andsensitivity when addressing cases ofviolence against children. Beyondreprisal, they also feared losing theirteacher’s approval or their parent’slove and affection. They emphasizedthe need for broader communityawareness-raising approaches thataddressed the attitudes of adultstowards children, rather than singlingout individuals for punitive action.0 20 40 60 80 100% of respondents15When this concept was explored it appeared that most children were using the words “children’s rights” to imply that they should be treated better and with morerespect. They were not referring to a specific right.Part Two Children’s Experiences 49
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ViolenceAgainstChildrenThe Voices o
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ViolenceAgainstChildrenThe Voices o
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DedicationThis work is dedicated to
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TABLES1.1 Children consulted throug
Page 9 and 10: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis study examine
Page 11 and 12: a new dimension to the adult-child
Page 13 and 14: PART ONEResearch DesignPURPOSE OF S
Page 15 and 16: PARTICIPANTSA total of 1406 childre
Page 17 and 18: METHODOLOGYData CollectionThe resea
Page 19 and 20: Through this process, two interesti
Page 21 and 22: Children’s VoicesWhat do you unde
Page 23 and 24: esearch.Children’s Conception of
Page 25: It was recognized during the format
Page 28 and 29: QUESTION 1Have you experienced viol
Page 30 and 31: QUESTION 2Have you experienced phys
Page 32 and 33: Children’s VoicesHave you experie
Page 34 and 35: QUESTION 3Have you experienced emot
Page 38 and 39: QUESTION 4Have you experienced sexu
Page 42 and 43: QUESTION 5Have you experienced econ
Page 46 and 47: QUESTION 6Who commits violence agai
Page 48 and 49: Children’s VoicesKey Informant In
Page 50 and 51: QUESTION 7How do you feel when viol
Page 52 and 53: Children’s VoicesHow do you feel
Page 54 and 55: Children’s VoicesYou feel ashamed
Page 56 and 57: QUESTION 8What do you do when viole
Page 58 and 59: Children’s VoicesWhat do you do w
Page 62 and 63: Children’s VoicesWhat, if anythin
Page 64 and 65: Children’s VoicesSensitize elders
Page 66 and 67: KEY FINDINGSMore than 90 percent of
Page 69 and 70: PART THREEAdults’ Rationale for V
Page 71 and 72: QUESTION 1Are children punished in
Page 73 and 74: Adults’ VoicesCulturally, we watc
Page 75 and 76: of being reported to higher authori
Page 77 and 78: QUESTION 3How often do you punish c
Page 79 and 80: Adults’ VoicesHow often do you pu
Page 81 and 82: In what ways do you punish children
Page 83 and 84: Adults’ VoicesIn what ways do you
Page 89 and 90: In interviews, many teachers admitt
Page 91 and 92: Adults’ Voicestimes, I feel happy
Page 93 and 94: I know beating her has not changed
Page 95 and 96: QUESTION 7Are there ways in which a
Page 97 and 98: Adults’ VoicesAre there ways in w
Page 99 and 100: QUESTION 8What should be done when
Page 101 and 102: Adults’ VoicesWhat should be done
Page 103 and 104: 6. Adults believe in a hierarchy of
Page 105 and 106: PART FOURRecommendationsWHAT WOULD
Page 107 and 108: violence. The legislation should in
Page 109 and 110: 3.6 RESEARCHCommission research tha
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5.9 COMMUNITY SENSITISATIONIntroduc
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Part Four Recommendations101
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Graphic Publishers Ltd, Plot 19A Na
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