Back to Index

Stop child abuse
Justice for Children Trust
November 15, 2007

Violence against children is a matter of great concern to most people around the world. No violence against children is justifiable. There can be no compromise. Therefore members of various sectors of the society and all individuals must commit themselves to ensure protection of children from abuse and violence against children. The commemorations for the World Day Against Child Abuse are around the corner. Let us all use this to spread the word on stopping child abuse. By raising awareness, we can help stop child abuse and neglect before they start. Child abuse occurs in all communities whether rich or poor.

Violence in the homes and families

Scenario 1
My stepmother beats me up every day. She says I would have done something that I know I never did. I am a child aged ten. Sometimes she accuses me of stealing and at times she says. When I tell my father about it, he promises to talk to her. I am not sure whether he ever does this. I am afraid of going home.

Scenario 2
I was detained at school. When I came home late, my uncle beat me up and he only stop when blood soaked the skirt I was wearing. He said that I was not getting my supper portion for that day. I was asked to go and water the garden as punishment. I finished watering the garden late. I was too tired and too hungry to read so I did not write my homework. I am a girl aged thirteen.

Both scenarios definitely ring a bell you will agree. Although it is said that children are a gift and a means for parents to secure their own futures, children are often subjected to abuse, exploitation and violence from those who are meant to protect them. Instead of being treated like gifts, they end up being treated like a burden to be abused, kicked around and silenced. Violence in the home and family refers to violence against children that is perpetrated by biological parents, step parents or adoptive parents or guardians or other relatives or neighbors. The broad view of the family is taken that is not just the nuclear family but the family and the community.

Violence in this context includes physical i.e. beating up or corporal punishment, emotional abuse, neglect and other harmful traditional practices. A characteristic that is shared among all the cultures in the country is the belief that children traditionally are to be submissive to adults and a discussion about rights is seen as something foreign. In line with this physical discipline is seen to be an important and necessary element of child rearing. Further as most parents themselves were punished physically and they turned out fine, physical violence is not seen as problematic with most of them stating the well known "spare the rod and spoil the child". In general there is under-reporting of cases of violence against children. Even in cases where people believe there is physical, sexual or other violence against a child, they are reluctant to get involved in what they consider to be a "private matter". If matter is serious enough to be reported and the family is willing enough to break the silence - the family if often persuaded to use customary means to settle the matter and withdraw the matter from the court. This may involve the exchange of money or cows depending on the seriousness of the violation. The money or the cow will directly benefit the parent or caregiver at the expense of the child's rights. Section 15 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe prohibits cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Section 15(3)(b) provides that moderate corporal punishment on those below the age of eighteen is not inhuman or degrading. This section of the Constitution is also supported by the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act section 241 thereof which states that this authority given to the parents shall be a defence to a charge alleging the commission of a crime related to administration of the punishment. Beating up a child everyday for nothing is not moderate in any way and so is beating up a child until their clothes are soaked in blood. Sometimes discussing the issue and the problem with the children when they have done wrong makes them appreciate the wrong they would have done and has a more retributive affect.

Visit the Justice for Children Trust fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP