Table of Contents
Introduction
Child maltreatment, and particularly abuse and neglect has over the years become a great concern. This report is aimed at discussing the nature of child maltreatments, risk factors and protective factors, case for support, policy implications, and resources currently available in addressing the problem as well as prevention strategies.
Nature of the problem
Child maltreatment refers to the abusing and neglecting of children aged 18 and younger (World Health Organization, 2016), Maltreatment includes different types of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other child related exploitation (World Health Organization, 2016). In 2015, statistics revealed that at least 814 Namibian children had been abused either physically or sexually, while 923 children had been either left neglected or abandoned (New Era Newspaper, 2014). Children remain the vulnerable population in a community and thus the special needs of children abused and neglected should be strongly upheld. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway (2018), Children who have faced with traumatic experiences of negligence and abuse should be kept safe, in a stable and nurturing relationship and environment. According to Watson (1994), abused and neglected children have special needs. Their special needs include, but are not limited to:
- Safety needs- abused and neglected children have not been kept safe, thus making them untrusting and unable to form meaningful relationships.
- Physical needs (Shelter, clothing &food) – the physical needs of these children have not been sufficiently provided.
- Affection- little or no attention was given to their psychological needs.
- Consistent care takers- abused and neglected children have not had one parental figure during their upbringing and have been exposed to multiple care takers
Risk Factors
Risk factors refer to characteristics of an individual (or the community and society within which they live) that increase chances of the possibility of future worse outcomes (Masten and Wright, 1998 as cited by Parkinson, Bromfield, McDougall and Salveron, 2017). Studies conducted by various researchers all over the world have suggested that children have specific characteristics which make them vulnerable, thus putting them at risk of abuse and neglect.
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Individual (Child) Gender
Individual (Child) Gender emerged as one of the risk factors for child abuse and neglect in general. According to the U. S. Department of Health and Human services (2008), as cited by Chu, Pineda, DePrince and Freyd (2011), the majority of child abuse and neglect cases reported to the child protective services across the nation involved more girls than boys. Additionally, children’s sexual identity or orientation may also be considered as a risk factor. Children and adolescents portraying opposite sex-linked behaviours are at greater risk of maltreatment, and this may be attributed to the stigma related to minority sexual orientation (McConaghy & Silove (1992) as cited by Chu et al.). Furthermore, the biological age of children may also put them at risk of abuse of child neglect. Young children are at greater risk of certain types of abuses and may experience more severity in injuries (Chu et al., 2011). A Nationwide data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data systems reported that children aged 3 and younger are the most frequent victims of child abuse and neglect (USDHHS, 2008).
Familial factors
According to Mardani (2010), risk factors that increase the vulnerability of children to abuse and neglect may include the presence of other siblings who may be demanding parental attention. Financial difficulties such as chronic poverty of families may also put children at greater risk of abuse and neglect. Mardani (2010), also stated that the existence of family violence, frequent changes in household members as well as involvement with criminal activities may also act as a contributing factors. According to Reid, Maccheto and Forster (1999), as cited by Tyler, Allison and Winsler (2006), “seven out of ten cases of child abuse and neglect are exacerbated by parental abuse of alcohol and/or other drugs”.
Community factors
Taking into account that most of the evidence on child maltreatment is directed towards individual and parental factors, there is also literature that takes into account community and societal factors. A life tracing study conducted in the United Kingdom, on a small group of children aged 0-8 years, who were identified as having been exposed to abuse and neglect, discovered that poverty, unemployment, poor housing, isolation, living in dangerous or hostile neighbourhoods and parental physical and mental health problems contributed to the increment of stressors in families, thus increasing the recurrence of factors related to child maltreatment (Wilkinson & Bowyer, 2017).
Policy and law Implications
Awareness of policy and law implications that emerge as a result of child maltreatment, is of utmost significance. The Child Care and protection Act 3 of 2015 (2) gives effect to Namibia’s obligations concerning the well-being, development and protection of children in terms of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and other international agreements binding on Namibia. Article 3 (2) (O): also states that every child needs to be protected from any physical or psychological harm that may be caused by subjecting the child to maltreatment, abuse, neglect, exploitation or degradation. The Maintenance Act 9 of 2003 states that both parents have a legal duty to maintain their child. This refers to giving the child reasonable support and a proper living and upbringing. It includes money, food, accommodation, clothing, medical care and education (Legal Assistance Centre, 2005). The Convention on the Rights of Children recognizes and urges respect for the human rights of children. Article 19 particularly calls for legislative, administrative, social and educational actions to protect children from all forms of violence, including abuse and neglect.
Case for Support
Evidence has shown that, investing in children produces significant economic and societal benefits at large. The benefits may take the form of improvements in labour productivity and a decrement in crimes committed by children as a result of child neglect (UNICEF, 2015). According to Children’s Bureau (2018), communities and neighbourhoods play a fundamental role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children by strengthening the families.
Protective Factors
According to Masten and Wright (1998) as cited by Parkinson, Bromfield, McDougall and Salveron (2017), protective factors are variables that may prevent or improve bad influences.. Good health, above average intelligence, hobbies and interests, easy temperament, good peer relationships, positive self-esteem, good social skills and active coping style are among, but not limited to, child protective factors(Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2004). On the other hand parental protective factors include, secure attachment, supportive family environment, household rules, stability in relationships between children and parents, high parental education, extended family support and involvement as well as parental possession of a model of competence and good coping skills (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2004). Mid to high socioeconomic status, access to health care and social services, consistent parental employment , adequate housing and family religious faith participation are among the social protective factors (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2004).
Current Resources Available
Some of the resources available to address the issues and support neglected children are SOS children’s village, Hope village, Ministry of gender and child welfare after school centres etc. These shelters serve to provide temporary shelters, counselling (individual, group and family counselling) and support to children who have been abused and neglected. According to the Lifeline/Childline Child Protection Policy (2011), Lifeline/Childline serves as a paramount platform to providing all children in Namibia with care and protection against all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation stated in article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child. In addition to that the Lifeline/Childline organisation provides counselling and referral for children through the 116 child helpline. Childline also has the Uitani Childline Radio which enables children and teenagers to take ownership and address issues affecting their well-being and rights.
Prevention
Child neglect and abuse can be prevented through the increment of public awareness as well as through parental education. Neglect can also be prevented by identifying families who are at high risk and provide for them additional community and individual support (Gaudin 1993, as cited by Tyler et al. 2006). Early childhood education can also be useful in preventing the occurrence of child neglect, by placing emphasise on the caring and nurturing of children (Gaudin 1993, as cited by Tyler et al. 2006). According to Tyler et al. (2006), equipping parents with parenting skills through training, may help parents to acquire discipline techniques, conflict resolution skills and socially appropriate modelling. These techniques may help parents to commit to better and healthy parenting practices.
