Child Abuse Research in South Africa

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified document of its kind, contains the rights that children have and the responsibilities that the state and adults have towards respecting them. Using a quantitative approach, a randomly selected sample of 577 Grade 9 learners responded to a questionnaire with closed questions which sought to explore the extent to which their rights were being respected by their significant adults. The sample was drawn from independent, public and independently subsidised schools from four Johannesburg educational districts, ranging in age between 13 to 16 years. Data was descriptively analysed using the SPSS 22.0 computer programme and comparatively analysed using gender, age, race and school type to see if any significant statistical differences existed on the basis of these variables and the extent to which children’s rights were being respected. The results showed that learners agreed to a large extent that their rights were being respected. However, there were statistically significant differences that were noted in age, population groups and school types in the extent to which they agreed with the factor under investigation. Adopting a social justice theoretical perspective, we emphasise the need for respecting children’s rights.

A dearth in research exists regarding the onset and escalation of misbehaviour in male, prepubescent, at-risk children. Insight into which factors contribute to the onset and escalation of such behaviour in this age group, as well as what could possibly assist in the prevention of misbehaviour, is lacking in criminological literature. While observational research into male, at-risk children is fraught with ethical concerns, an in-depth understanding of the perceptions of those responsible for their wellbeing could provide invaluable information on the topic. This study explored the perceptions of experts and guardians regarding the early onset of misbehaviour in male, at-risk children in child and youth care centres. The empirical findings indicate that experts and guardians insist that numerous factors can contribute to both the onset and prevention of misbehaviour in male, at-risk children in child and youth care centres. The factors that experts and guardians thought contributed to the prevention of the onset of misbehaviour included: quality relationships with family members; parenting capacity; positive peer pressure at home or school; and the personal resilience of the individual. Conversely, some of the factors that experts and guardians considered to have contributed to the onset of misbehaviour included: lack of time to acclimatise to the child and youth care centre; environmental inconsistency; a non-resilient personality; negative peer pressure; and weak caregiver attachment. This study therefore provides an in-depth qualitative understanding of the perceptions of experts and guardians regarding the early onset of misbehaviour in male, at-risk children in child and youth care centres. Finally, recommendations pertaining to possible focus areas in secondary crime prevention programmes aimed at curbing youth misbehaviour in male, at-risk children are considered.

Child marriage is a pervasive socio-pathological challenge in Africa requiring robust child sensitive social protection interventions. The current study aims to explore the domains of health and socio-economic challenges child brides experience in Maparadze communal lands in the Chipinge district of Zimbabwe. The study is grounded in a qualitative approach and a case study was employed as the research design. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used as a means of gathering data. The dominant narratives that emerged from the study are that child brides are vulnerable to health risks like heightened risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STI’s), vulnerability to eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, obstructed labour and death. The study further reveals that child brides experience socio-economic predicaments and are subjected to rustic and patriarchal attitudes which include lack of financial and material needs, wife battery and disenfranchisement in decision making and extended periods of separation from “husbands”. The research reveals that programmes facilitated by child protection committees were effective, but some gaps were noted. The article recommends the development of programmes that empower girls with information, life skills and support networks, educating and mobilising parents and community members, enhancing accessibility and quality of formal schooling and fostering the presence and functioning of an enabling legal and policy framework.