By: Gatuma Perpetual
Any form of maltreatment by an adult which is violent or threatening to a person below 18 years is considered as child abuse. It can be in form of physical, emotional, neglect or sexual abuse.
Child abuse can have a devastating effect on a child’s development and ability to function. Any abused child may feel ashamed and afraid to talk about it especially if the abuser is a parent or a relative. According to Ministry of Labour and social protection, around one in two young adults in Kenya experience violence as a child. Globally, it is estimated that up to 1 billion children aged 2-17 years, have experienced physical, sexual, emotional violence or neglect in the past 1 year.
Lack of parenting skills, drug/alcohol abuse are some of the causes of child abuse today since parents may believe it is acceptable to use excessive physical force to discipline a child. Some parents also may have experienced abuse in their early ages which could have caused them to develop an insecure attachment. Some parents fail to accept the fact that they have a disabled child and ends up neglecting them which is also a type of child abuse. This is mostly brought by the inability to adequately care for the disabled child.
Parents behaviors of maltreating a child can lead to mental health disorders, delay in development, physical injuries and distrust of adults. Self harming or suicidal thoughts are also part of the effects of an abused child. They can also grow to be abusers.
A child abuser with a legal custody is at risk of losing a child to a foster family and only visits the child with the permission of a court. Jail or prison sentences that is, few days, months or up to years are common with child abuse convictions. Failure to face the above consequences, an abuser will require complying with certain court-ordered rules and conditions under supervision of a probation officer.
Parents/guardians are required to discipline their children thoughtfully and protect them, to prevent having childhood trauma. It is so disappointing when a child is suffering in the hands of adults who are meant to keep them safe. It’s important to raise an alarm whenever there’s a case of child abuse. Children helpline 116.
“Our children are our greatest treasure. They are our future. Those who abuse them tear at the fabric of our society and weaken our nation,” Nelson Mandela.
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