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

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This was the first explicit discussion of abuse ofchildren as defined by the subjects of the studyrather than the researchers. Three central issuesemerged from these reports.defensive postures, many adults shared theiranxiety and confusion. Many felt conflicted aboutwhere their loyalties lie and what their duty oughtto be as moral adults.Firstly, despite a calculated silence, a large numberof adults are aware that children are being abusedin their community yet are either unwilling orunable to protect children from such abuse.Secondly, despite assertions to the contrary,a significant proportion of adults were unableto retain a reliable perspective on where theboundary lay between guiding (“punishing”) andabusing (“mistreatment”) of children. Many adultsrelated stories of children being grossly abused,such as being burned or caned heavily for minoroffences or being worked wellbeyond their capacity, yet adultskept insisting in formal conversationsthat they always act in the best90interests of their children.80Yes, many children are being mistreated here.Some people treat their children worse thananimals. They make them work long hours,and many stepfathers abuse their daughters.Others just shout and kick their children even ifthey have done nothing wrong, simply becausehe [adult] is drunk or angry at something else.Sometimes it pains my heart but what can Ialone do? I don’t know what to tell them [theparent]. I don’t know what to do.female, parent, NakapiripiritFigure 3.18 Adults’ perception of child mistreatment in theircommunityThirdly, far from being engagedin a systematic method to guidechildren’s behaviour, some adultswere often merely releasingtheir frustration on the child andsubsequently justifying their actionas punishment.Clearly many adults are willing tomaintain a duplicitous stance toavoid accountability regarding howthey relate with children. However,in conversations that went beyond706050403020100BurningTying upLocking upExcessive beatingDisowningForced sexBeing touchedForcing to touch themKissing on mouthSexual HarassmentExposing themselvesAssign all household workLook after babiesHeavy loadsWork long hoursPhysical Sexual Economic84 Part Three Adults’ Rationale
Adults’ VoicesAre there ways in which adults mistreat children?Yes, it’s there [mistreatment], it’s common, and itseverywhere.male, parent, IgangaExcessive punishment. A child can be burnt forstealing 100 shillings.male, parent, KaseseChildren are made to do too much work. They aresometimes responsible for all the housework.male, community leader, ApacSexual abuse, especially of orphan girls. The manmay pay school fees but later demand repaymentfrom the girl in the form of sex.female, parent, IgangaMost children are beaten unnecessarily. Every smalloffence is punishable by canes. Sometimes thecaning is severe even for small offences.male, community leader, ApacChildren are humiliated all the time. They can beslapped in front of everyone for laughing too loudor not knowing what to say. It is too much.female, parent, WakisoToo much heavy work given to especially youngchildren, like carrying a 20-liter jerry can to a 9-year-old child.female, teacher, ApacBoys are beaten harshly for small mistakes. Likeone boy was beaten until he was bleeding badlyand fell unconscious, because he lost a goat.male, community leader, NakapiripiritYes, children are denied food, yet parents eata lot. Some are denied medical care and othersdon’t even have a clean pair of clothes. Thishappens a lot with orphans.female, parent, KaseseThey make young children carry the heavy loadof sorghum to take to the market every week.female, teacher, KaseseMany children don’t get medicines they need.You see them walking around with big sores orshaking with malaria, and the parent will justignore it.female, community leader, NakapiripiritPart Three Adults’ Rationale 85
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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
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis study examine
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a new dimension to the adult-child
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PART ONEResearch DesignPURPOSE OF S
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PARTICIPANTSA total of 1406 childre
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METHODOLOGYData CollectionThe resea
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Through this process, two interesti
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Children’s VoicesWhat do you unde
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esearch.Children’s Conception of
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It was recognized during the format
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QUESTION 1Have you experienced viol
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QUESTION 2Have you experienced phys
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Children’s VoicesHave you experie
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QUESTION 3Have you experienced emot
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QUESTION 4Have you experienced sexu
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QUESTION 5Have you experienced econ
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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 60 and 61: QUESTION 9What, if anything, should
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: QUESTION 7Are there ways in which a
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
Page 111 and 112: 5.9 COMMUNITY SENSITISATIONIntroduc
Page 113 and 114: Part Four Recommendations101
Page 115 and 116: Graphic Publishers Ltd, Plot 19A Na
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