Causes of child abuse in Kyengera Town Council Wakiso district

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative research design. Qualitative data collection methods, namely in-depth interviews and key informant interviews were conducted. In total, 10 in-depth interviews with children and 2 key informant interviews were conducted. These participants were purposively selected. Respondents who had relevant information and knowledge about child abuse were selected. Data collected was analyzed through thematic data analysis. The study results show that the participants understood child abuse differently. Some as a result of Covid 19 pandemic, call it child abuse when the perpetrators are punished well as others a weakness of stakeholders; The risk factors for abuse identified included domestic violence, drug abuse, misconceptions about the rights and limited sex education. Children that are abused experience emotional difficulties, have suicidal thoughts, night mares, think of revenging, experiences moment of denial; Lessons from the study points at the need for strong community wide campaigns aimed at addressing various local meanings on child abuse and reconciling these meanings with global definitions. The campaigns should be intentional at explaining the various risk factors for abuse so as parent and other community stakeholders pay attention to these. The results have implications on the INSPIRE seven strategies for ending violence against children (Law Implementation and Enforcement; Norms and Values; Safe Environments; Parent and Caregiver Support; Income and Economic Strengthening; Response and Support Services; and Education and Life Skills). As such, much has been done to understand the risk factors that predispose children to abuse. These are studied from a socio-ecological perspective so as to map the individual, interpersonal, communal and institutional factors that increase the likelihood of child abuse. Despite existence of such literature, little is known about how such frameworks have been translated in local communities such as those found in Uganda. This study is meant to address this gap by studying the risk factors of child abuse in a selected urban community within Kampala, Uganda. From the perspective of children is to be beaten when the father comes back when is drunk. Individuals in the community define it basing on the weakness of the formal systems in responding to cases which later lead to devastating effects like isolation from peers, denial thoughts among others.