Drivers of child abuse in Kasangati Town Council- Wakiso District

Abstract

This study focused on examining the drivers of child abuse in Kasangati Town Council-Wakiso district. It identified the common forms of child abuse experienced in Kasangati Town council, assessed the factors associated with child abuse, and as well identified actions undertaken at community level to address child abuse. The study was conducted in Kasangati Town council-Wakiso District, in the Central Region of Uganda and it took a period of three weeks. The researcher chose a cross-sectional descriptive research design for this study targeting 26 participants which included survivors of child abuse, police officers of Child and Family Protection Unit, parents, Community Development Officer, community members and child experts in Kasangati Town Council. Interviews and Focus Group Discussion were applied as data collection tools. The study revealed that, the most common forms of child abuse identified in Kasangati include; physical abuse, psychological abuse and neglect, according to police, there are also cases of sexual abuse, though not very rampant and common in the area. Where, physical abuse is the most practiced, followed by psychological abuse and neglect. It also identified that, the major factors identified in the study include child risk factors. This is where weaknesses of a child like health complications make them vulnerable to child abuse. The parenting and caregiver factors where weaknesses of parents in handling children makes them mistreat children. Community and environmental factors, in this situation, some areas in Kasangati are slummy and chaotic, and what transpires there makes children highly vulnerable to child abuse. Household risk factors, in this case, certain factors like poverty within the home, congestions, domestic violence, among others put children in the position to face abuses. Lastly, it revealed that, the major actions undertaken by the community in Kasangati is creation of awareness, reporting of cases and sensitization on the problem of child abuse.