Violence against children in six primary schools in Northern Uganda: status, opportunities and lessons to enhance violence free environment

Introduction: The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect is implementing a 3 year project towards a violence free environment for children in Arua district, northern Uganda. We... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction: The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect is implementing a 3 year project towards a violence free environment for children in Arua district, northern Uganda. We conducted a baseline survey to document the status of violence faced by children, opportunities for prevention and drew lessons to enhance violence free environment.

Methodology: This was cross-sectional study conducted in August 2015 in six target primary schools. Data were collected using structured interviews with 182 children, 24 focus group discussions (children, parents, teachers and school management committees) and 6 key informant interviews. Two children (boy and girl) from each of study schools participated in journal writing.

Findings: Child neglect constituted majority of the VAC cases reported to ANPPCAN. At school, use of physical punishments was common and included digging and compound cleaning (41%); caning (31%) and cleaning latrines without protective gears (18%). Physical, psychological and sexual abuses were also reported at home and in communities but many are unreported owing to fear of harm by perpetrators, stigma and uncertainty that action would be taken. Perpetrators of VAC included fellow children, teachers, relatives and neighbours. Major opportunities for VAC prevention were; availability of teachers who children could confide in, partners and structures and Arua Education Ordinance that advocate against VAC as well as increasing knowledge about children’s rights.

Conclusion: Violence against children in prevalent in all spaces but there are several opportunities that can be seized to attain a violence free environment for children. Implementation of Education Ordinance, continuous engagement of children parents, teachers and other stakeholders to increase awareness about children’s rights, dangers of VAC as well as need to report such cases should be prioritized. Innovative interventions such as use of letter link boxes, school clubs have potential to aid the VAC prevention campaign.