Support Material 1.

3b
SESSION 1.3 Child Protection and Early Childhood Development
BASIC TEXT Background Reading for the Facilitator
Violence, Abuse and Neglect: Some Definitions and Recommendations
What the UN Convention says on violence against children?
Children have a right to live peacefully, without threat to their safety,
so that they can survive, be protected and develop their full
potential.
Why Children need extra protection from violence?
Children are vulnerable
They are physically weaker than adults and it is easier for an adult to
hurt a child than someone his or her own size.
Physical hurts are worse for young children
Children are more vulnerable than adults to being physically hurt by
violence, as they are still growing and developing. For example,
damage to growing bones (especially the spine) can lead to life-long
suffering.
Emotional hurt do more damage to young children
Children have not learnt to cope with strong emotions. Remember,
that if a child experiences hurt or fright that upsets the child, this
original emotion can come back with just as much intensity as the first
time around.
Children who Experience Abuse and Neglect
Child abuse and neglect refers to physical or mental injury, sexual
abuse, negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under the age
of eighteen years
We need to understand that abuse is perpetrated by a person who has
power over some else. Most often the abuser is NOT a stranger,
and could be a man or a woman.
What are the different types of abuse children experience?
Physical
Physical abuse is any deliberate act, which results in injury or death
of a young child. Signs of physical abuse are cuts, abrasions, bruises,

fractures or sprains, burns, poisoning, strangulation and suffocation,

abdominal, head or internal injury.
Emotional abuse
Refers to any action or lack of action that affect the childs
intellectual, social or emotional development e.g. when the child
becomes withdrawn, aggressive, depressed, always trying to get
peoples attention, does not play freely.
Signs of emotional abuse are wetting of pants, headaches, feeling
sick, when a child feels deprived of affection and cognitive
stimulation, exposure to family violence.
Emotional abuse occurs when parents, practitioners and caregivers
strip children of their self-esteem and self-image.
Adults take away childrens self-esteem through continual criticism,
belittling, screaming, nagging, creating fear and intentionally severely
limiting opportunities for them to grow and develop.
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is any act, which results in the exploitation of a child
with or without consent.
Signs of sexual abuse
Playing with dolls or other children in a way that shows that they
know about having sex.
Drastic change in behaviour
Draws things about sex.
Tries to interest the opposite sex when he or she is too young to
know what they are doing.
Torn, soiled or bloody clothing.
Pain or itching in genital areas or frequent urinary infections,
awkward walking.
Contracts venereal diseases.
Vaginal discharge, or lower abdominal pains or pain in genital
area.
Neglect
This refers to children being denied their basic needs of care, medical
attention, food clothing, shelter etc. Signs of neglect are:
Childs appearance is often dirty.
Child feels tired and has no energy.
Goes to school without breakfast, often no lunch.
Clothes are dirty, often inappropriate for weather.

Often alone for long periods of time.

Needs constant medical attention or care.

Note: Poverty can play a role here, one must be careful not to accuse
a parent or caregiver of neglect when there could be circumstances
that render them not being in a position to provide adequately for
their children.
Child Labour:
Young children below 14 years that are exploited and forced to
work are also child abuse. Children have a legal right not to work,
and a court of law can prosecute people employing children.
War and natural disasters
Millions of children in the world are brutalised and displaced by war.
The fate of these children is distressing and of great concern. The
child soldiers, the landmine victims and children caught in a cross fire
are children at risk. They are also more prone to be victims of sexual
abuse. War and natural disasters such as drought or floods result in
hundreds of thousands of children dying every year from diseases and
malnutrition.
Some facts:
Most (80%) children are sexually abused within their own
homes or by people they know. This makes it difficult for them to
talk about it, and they are often threatened or bribed to prevent
them from talking about it. They may also be made feel they are
to blame for the abuse.
Many people who abuse children were themselves abused when
they were children. These people need help, but it does not
excuse their behaviour.
Key Messages
Children need caring people who are available both physically and
emotionally able to:

Develop trusting relationships with all children. Encourage them to

talk about what they are feeling and listen to what they tell you.
Make time to be with and talk to individual children who are
coping with abuse and violence.
Set limits. In order to feel secure, children must know the limits.
Provide basic rules that everybody must follow. Be consistent about
rules.
Teach and encourage non-violent ways of problem solving.

Provide activities and opportunities for children to express

themselves in different ways, e.g. through art activities, makebelieve play, stories and discussions.
Get to know the family of children in the community to know facts
about the child's situation.
Watch over and protect children from abuse (neglect, child labour,
abandonment, defilement, incest, beating, corporal punishment,
refusing children food or going to school, verbal insults).
Talk to children softly whenever they have done something wrong.
Give children in families equal treatment irrespective of their
gender, including orphans.
Show love and affection for children in families.
Do not involve children in any form of labour.
Advise children especially girl children to avoid playing in isolated
places where they can easily be victimized by men.

Parents and other caregivers should know that the following

situations may put the child at risk of being abused:
Sending children on errands at night.
Leaving children unattended
Employing male caregivers to look after female children or
vice versa.
Step children, orphans or children living with children.
Children with disabilities.
Children with behaviour problems
Children in conflict with the law
Street children
Children who have not been able to develop a bond with their
mother.
Single parented children
Children from child headed households
Families where drugs and alcohol are abused
Children in crisis
Parents and other caregivers look for the following signs which may
indicate child abuse:
Child not wanting to talk and interact with people.
Child may look anxious, fearful, irritable, scared, may wet
his/her bed.
Bruises on the skin, rash or sores in the genital areas or
anus, vaginal discharge or bleeding, pain when passing
urine.
If abuse/neglect is suspected families should do the following:

In case of physical abuse take the child to the nearest health

facility first for medical examination. All cases of physical
abuse should be reported to the nearest police station,
village headman, social welfare office, extension workers,
community leaders or religious leaders.
Communities should report all cases of child abuse to
community based child committees e.g. orphan care
committees, child rights clubs; community leaders; nearest
social welfare office.
Victims of abuse should be given comfort and adequate play
materials. A trusted adult/caregiver should stay close to the
child.

Prevention of child abuse and neglect is everybodys responsibility

Sharing information regarding sexuality by parents
From as young as possible we need to start introducing safety
information and prevention techniques to different forms of abuse,
without over-dramatising or alarming children.
People sometimes believe it is not right to let children learn anything
about sex. Sexuality education is essential in our society. This is
necessary because of the high incidences of child abuse, child rape,
and also because of the numerous problems of HIV / AIDS
Children have a right to information that will help them protect
themselves. Remember that the information you give to children
needs to be appropriate to their age, level of understanding and
experience.
Children also have a right to education. They need to learn the
attitudes and values that help them to grow up to be responsible and
caring members of society.
Most child abuse is due to adults who are irresponsible and uncaring,
selfish and insensitive to the needs of children. Many may have been
abused themselves as children.
Guidelines on sexuality education for young children
What adults say and do in sexuality education depends largely on the
age of the child. Below is a guideline for children between 3 to 6
years. Adapt this, as children may be emotionally and mentally
younger or older than their actual years as a result of their
5

experience. Remember children still find difficulties in distinguishing

what is real and what is fantasy.
Children have a strong awareness of sex differences and may be
concerned about them. Their interest and curiosity leads to
playing mummies and daddies, and this is usually harmless.
Children need to be encouraged to explore many different
gender roles in fantasy play and not to follow stereotyped
gender roles.
If girls role-play doctors and boys role-play taking care of the
baby at home, this will help children not to be limited to
stereotype gender roles.
They often show off their bodies and play with their own
genitals.
Teach the correct names of body parts. React calmly to any sexplay but remind the children that this is not allowed because it
makes others uncomfortable and is not kind.
Answer questions on where babies come from, honestly but
simply. Respond to what was asked in their question. Answers
should be age appropriate.
A 'feel safe' programmes for children
The purpose of 'feel safe' programmes is to help children to recognize
dangerous situations and to remain in control of their safety:

understand their rights to love and protection, and develop a

positive self-image and confidence - I am special
recognize good and bad ways of being touched, and have the
confidence to be able to say NO
recognize and speak about good and bad feelings
learn how to tell a trusted adult and how to ask for help.

What to do when abuse is detected?

Stay calm
Do not display anger, shock or embarrassment. Instead show
you care and understand.

Believe the child

Children are unlikely to be lying about abuse unless they are
trying to protect someone. Find out what particular threats have

been made, and help the child to talk about it. Record your
conversations.
Reassure the child
Children usually feel guilty or, that they are to blame. Reassure
them that it is not their fault.
Try to solve the problem with the child
Tell the child what you are going to do with the information, e.g.
inform a social worker.
Confidentiality if essential
Your first responsibility is to the child, e.g. you only need to
discuss it with the person concerned. Share the information
with care - you must be sure that the people you tell can be
trusted.

Advantages of preventing child abuse and neglect

Reporting of child abuse cases helps in reducing occurrence of

such cases and ensures that legal action is taken against the
perpetrators.
Prevention of child abuse reduces traumatic experiences
(frightfulness, regression, isolation, stress, low spirits etc).
Prevention of child abuse promotes realization of childrens
rights (right to education, health, life, freedom)
Prevention of sexual abuse protects children from contracting
sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
Counselling helps to restore the emotional state of the abused
children.

Supporting Vulnerable Children

In Mozambique, fourteen-year old Fernando Alfredo is going through difficult
times. He lives in Bairro Chamanculo, one of Maputo's many slums with his
mother, Cristina, who fell ill a year ago. He lost his father at about the same time.
A small, dark and sparsely furnished shack is all they have to protect them from
the elements. The ground is saturated with water, this whole area being prone to
flooding.. "We have had to sell some of our furniture and roofing material to buy
food," admits Cristina who hadn't eaten all day. Fernando starts his day early,
cooking what food is available, washing clothes, cleaning up and caring for his
mother who can no longer walk. This he does every day before going to school.
Cristina's condition is getting steadily worse and she is worried about what will
happen to him should she die. Her only consolation is that she is no longer in
pain. Fernando remains a quiet and shy boy but his eyes betray his concern for
his mother.

When a community worker visited the home in the province of KwaZulu-Natal,

South Africa of a three year old child with a disability, the grandfather shook his
head, saying you are wasting your time. The child will always be disabled, and
you cannot do anything to help.. The reason is that this makoti (young wife) did
not fulfil her role to the ancestors. She needs to slaughter an animal and
apologise. Only then will the child walk.
Who are vulnerable children?
Vulnerable children are deprived care, protection, and their rights as
children in a community. Some of the reasons may be that that have
temporarily or permanently:

Lost their caregivers or guardians (orphans).

Lost contact with their caregivers. For example, street children,

unaccompanied displaced or refugee children.

Been separated from their parents. For example, where parents

are detained or children are abducted.

Been placed in alternative care by their caregivers. For

example, children with disabilities or children from poor
families who are placed in institutions.

Been kept in prolonged hospital care. For example, on grounds

of health status, such as HIV status.

Been detained in educational, remand, correctional or penal

facilities as a result of an administrative or judicial decision. For
example, suspected or convicted offenders or child asylum
seekers.

Experience negative attitudes towards them in their

communities

Although the reasons vary greatly, separation from parents and family
is one of the greatest barriers to the overall well being and
development of the child..
Children without the guidance and protection of their primary
caregivers are often more vulnerable and at risk of becoming victims
of violence, exploitation, trafficking, discrimination or other abuses. It
increases the child's risk of exposure to violence, physical abuse,
exploitation and even death. Surviving children face malnutrition,
illness, physical and psychosocial trauma, and impaired cognitive and
emotional development. Unaccompanied girls are at especially high
risk of sexual abuse. Meanwhile, unaccompanied boys are at high risk
of forced or 'voluntary' participation in violence and armed conflict.

By 2010, an estimated 106 million children under age 15 are

projected to lose one or both parents. Among them, the
number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS is expected to
jump to more than 25 million. In 12 African countries,
projections show that orphans will comprise at least 15 per
cent of all children under 15 years of age by 2010.

Source: ESAR Training Manual