CHILD ABUSE
All children have the right to be treated with respect and dignity
Childline kwazulu-natal- here for you…sikanye nawe
All children have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. Children are a vulnerable group that need special attention and protection from abuse. Child abuse can encompass several areas of violation.
Chapter 2 Section 28 of the South African Constitution provides special rights for children. Those specific to child abuse are the rights:
- to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation;
- to be protected from exploitative labour practices;
- not to be required or permitted to perform work or provide services that
- are inappropriate for a person of that child's age; or
- place at risk the child's well-being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development
Unfortunately, as in many things, having a law protecting against abuse does not stop it from happening. In fact the South African Human Rights Commission reported in a 2002 report, that almost one third of our children are subjected to sexual abuse before the age of 18. It further estimated that 20% of females and 13% of males are abused yearly.
Childline is working hard at reducing these statistics. We hope we will win the war raging against our children.
Facts about child abuse
- One in four children in South Africa will be abused some time during their childhood.
- Just as many boys as girls under the age of 10 years are sexually abused.
- 80% of the offenders of sexual abuse are well known to, and trusted by, the child i.e. a family member, neighbour, teacher, parent, caretaker, parent’s friend.
- Sexual abuse usually happens in a familiar environment where the offender has complete control i.e. his car, classroom etc.
- In South Africa, there has been a significant increase in young people (under 18 years) sexually abusing children.
- 99% of the perpetrators of sexual abuse are men.
- Worldwide, only 5-7% of the offenders of sexual abuse are convicted.
- If a child is believed and given the appropriate support by their parents when the abuse is discovered, they have a positive chance of recovery.
- The longer the abuse occurs and the less support a child is given after disclosure, the more long term and severe the effects of the abuse will be.
Myths about child abuse
- Children are mostly abused by strangers.
- Damage to a child after abuse is irreparable.
- All the child’s problems arise from the abuse.
- Children can say no.
- Children can always tell.
- Offenders are untreatable.
- It does not happen in my community.
- Sex with a child will cure HIV/AIDS.
Children's reaction to trauma
Ages 3 and below
- Crying
- Clinging
- Change in sleeping and eating habits
- Regressive behaviour
Ages 3 - 5 years
- Separation fears
- Clinging
- Tantrums or irritability
- Sleep disturbance
- Regressive behaviours
- Withdrawal
- Increased fear
Ages 6 - 11 years
- Regressive behaviours
- Externalising behaviours
- Denial, avoidance, social isolation, withdrawal
- Difficulty concentrating, focusing
- Fear, depression, anxiety
- Physical complaints
- Self-blame, guilt
- School refusal
Adolescent (12 - 17 years)
Responses similar to adults
- Depressive features
- Sleep and appetite change
- Fear, withdrawal
- Physical complaints
- Moodiness, irritability
- Anger, resentment
- School refusal, decreasing performance
- Concentration difficulties
- Anxiety, dissociation
- PTSD triad
- Substance abuse
Useful phrases for crisis in interveners
- You are safe now (if the child is safe)
- I’m glad you’re talking with me now
- I’m sorry this happened to you
- I’m glad you’re here with me now
- This wasn’t your fault
- Its understandable that you feel that way
- Things may never be the same, but they can get better and you can get better