The intersections between intimate partner violence and violence against children in Katwe ward Masaka city.

Abstract

Violence against children (VAC) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) are both global social problems affecting many people. Violence against children (VAC) entails physical, sexual and emotional violence while IPV encompasses physical, sexual and psychological aggression by current or former intimate partner. These two forms of violence are interlinked, and take place in the same settings like homes, communities, they tend to overlap in various ways and share the same risk factors and consequences. However, despite these interrelations studies and programs tend to approach IPV and VAC in isolation. Therefore, this study sought to understand the intersections between IPV and VAC. The specific objectives of the study were; to find out how IPV is a risk factor to VAC, shared consequences between IPV and VAC and the shared risk factors. The study adopted a qualitative research approach and used a descriptive case study design where the researcher was able to describe how IPV leads to VAC, their different shared risk factors and the shared consequences. The study employed a non- probability sampling technique in which respondents for in depth interviews were purposely selected and the sample size was based on the method of data saturation where the researcher selected respondents until appoint where no new information could be obtained. The researcher used both semi-structured and unstructured interview guides to obtain in-depth information. A total of 30 adult male and female respondents, 10 male and female children, and 10 key informants were selected for the study. Data was audio recorded, transcribed by verbatim, coded and developed into themes and sub-themes. The study findings show that IPV is a considerable risk factor to VAC and this is manifested through displaced aggression against children, VAC as expression of masculinity and using children as pawns. It also revealed that the two forms intersect because they were found to have shared consequences like private costs incurred; children’s poor academic performance and they were also discovered to have shared risk factors like social cultural norms, male unemployment, poverty, child witness of IPV and VAC and others. Lesson from this study call for an integrated approach to address IPV and VAC given the fact that it requires the intervention of various actors.