Protecting children from abuses

Most research on child abuse has been carried out in economically developed countries and it is not clear of its relevance to those children whose living conditions are very different. So, it seems impossible to agree on one universal definition. According to the UNCRC, a child is “every human being below the age of 18 years.” Very recently the Bangladesh government circulated Draft National Children policy-2010 at website for giving comments on it. Here mentioned that all people of fewer than 18 years indicate children. According to the statistics of 2007, there are 45 per cent people of total population below 18 years in Bangladesh. Unfortunately children are the most affected part who are often deprived of their rights and faced various forms of tortures. Child abuse, sometimes also refers to as child maltreatment, is defined in the World Report on Violence and Health as all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation. Within broad definition of child abuse, five sub-types are distinguished and these are: Physical abuse, Sexual abuse, Emotional abuse, Neglect and negligent treatment and Sexual and commercial exploitation.

The factors that compel the children to fall into the clutches of abuse are numerous and complex. These include poverty, inequitable socio-economic structure, family disintegration, rural-urban migration, gender discrimination, natural calamities, lack of visionary protection, ignorance, unprotected family, social degradation, lack of societal protection, job insecurity of parents, corruption and immoral exercise of law by its enforcing agencies. Parental separation resulting from divorce and its consequences also affects a child very cruelly for lack of proper guardianship.

Child abuse is a disgraceful work that harms a child in emotional, physical or sexual ways. Child is abused in the house and outside the house, working place, care giving centre, learning centres and similar areas. There are some cases of child abuse that happen unknowingly due to lack of awareness. There are some cases of committing suicide and becoming prostitute due to lack of counselling, proper treatment and rehabilitation. Most of the victims try to conceal the occurrence due to social stigma.

Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum is working through its member NGOs across the country to ensure child rights. So government can take initiatives in collaboration with the National and International child centred NGOs. Steps have taken to implement some laws to prevent child abuse. Still there are some laws, which require immediate attention for reducing child abuse for which more efforts are needed by NGOs, International organisations and Government. Besides, the level of awareness of mass people is still low on child abuse for which awareness raising program is indispensable. We can take some prevention efforts to reduce child abuse; primary prevention check measures to keep abuse and neglect from occurring for the first time in a family. It raises the awareness of the general public, service providers and policy makers about the scope and problems associated with child maltreatment through activities such as public awareness campaigns or general educational efforts. Secondary prevention also refers to keeping abuse and neglect from occurring for the first time in a family. The difference from primary prevention is that secondary prevention programmes are directed at populations of families who have been determined to be at-risk for abusive or neglectful behaviour, or have circumstances in their life that present challenges to positive parenting behaviours and optimal child development. Secondary prevention activities may include: Parent education programmes for teen parents, Respite care for families who have children with special needs.

Following the insufficient data and information it is realised that necessary research work and database should be developed for monitoring the actual picture of abuse against children in Bangladesh; Physical and psychological punishment both at home, workplace and academic institutions should be abolished like western countries. Necessary laws and policies should be adopted in this regard. Parents, care givers and other duty bearers should be sensitized and made aware about the negative consequences of physical and psychological punishment on children’s normal growth and development so that the stakeholders feel discouraged to do any harm to their children. Parents, teachers and care givers need to be trained on alternative measure of disciplining and good parenting. Children in all status should be organised so that they can raise their voices for addressing any forms of violence and abuse at their home and community Draft Policy for Employers of child domestic workers should be implemented so that employers feel obliged to abide by those and thus contribute positively in reducing domestic violence against children;

Social and cultural norms should be well taken in child rights related programming like as Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum so that children are considered as ‘being’ and ‘rights holders’ instead of merely a ‘property’ of adults and guardians. Media and law enforcing agencies should be properly sensitised so that cases on violence against children are well-reflected and taken care of with due respect to child-victims; A toll- free telephone hotline facility of Bangladesh Shushu Adhikar Forum should be established for receiving complaints regarding the cases of child abuse and violence and making effective follow-up. Providing treatment to abusive and neglectful families alone cannot break the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Communities must develop strategies to prevent abusive and neglectful patterns from occurring to begin with. Prevention programmes have the potential to provide a more complete and effective support system for at-risk families.

(Safiul Azam; Development Activist and Column Writer, E- mail- [email protected] )