By Refilwe SinkambaSocial Work department, University of

Botswana

What do you in the picture?

IntroductionViolence against children is a significant problem

that has affected Africa and the world at largeChildren are highly sensitive to domestic violence At any age they are able to detect and remember

abuse that happened within the home where directed to them or to their caregivers

Research indicate that the boy child is more sensitive and is affect more than the girl child

However boys are raised that they are tough, they should not cry, they should not show their emotions

Forms of domestic violenceChildren are faced with many forms of violence that

include; Physical violence, psychological violence, sexual violence

Research indicates that 60% of children in Zambia, Morocco, and Uganda and half of the children in Mali and Ethiopia reported experiencing physical punishment from family members.

16% of those children shared that the physical violence left scars on their body, and 25% said the afflicted pain stopped them from going to school or playing outside the house (The African report on violence against Children, 2014)

Sexual abuse and psychological abuse In Tanzania about one quarter of girls and

boys reported at least 1 incident of sexual violence occurred in the field, bush, river or roadway. 1 in 10 girls and 1 in 20 boys mentioned incidents in a public building such as a business or bar

Survey done in Ethiopia reported children with a prevalence of 53%, Morocco 75% while Zambia reported 72% of psychological abuse

Boys experiencing sexual violence

Forms of sexual violence

Morocco Mali Uganda Zambia Ethiopia

Approached or spoken in a sexual manner

6 2 1 3 1

Touched in a sexual manner

3 2 2 2 0

Forced to look at sexual acts

2 1 2 3 1

Purposely exposed to private parts

5 2 1 1 1

Had sex with a member of the family

3 0 0 1 0

Psychological violence experienced Type of violence

Mozambique Kenya Ghana

Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys GirlsInsults 32 40 40 46 81 92Threats 12 15 25 25 50 51

methodologyThe study uses insights from responses on a

study conducted among 13-17 years both from 1 Junior school and 1 senior school in Selibe Phikwe town .

The study sought to establish the effects of domestic violence on the boy child

Social learning theory was used Recommend appropriate measures that

address domestic violence on the boy child

Significance of the study Domestic violence has both short and long term

effects on the boy child that include, the boy child exhibiting general aggressiveness and violence to siblings or to the victim’s parent in ways that emulate the abusive parent

the boy child experiencing domestic violence may use violence for solving problems at school and home

such a child may be at a greater risk of being a runaway, suicidal, and a juvenile offender

These effects are internalized and externalized by boys, which lead to depression, including sadness, shame, hopelessness and helplessness.

Findings from the study Forms of violence experienced Effects domestic violence

Variable Frequency n=60 Percentage %

Physical abuse 48 80

Emotional abuse 44 73

Sexual abuse 18 30

Psychological

abuse

31 51.7

Variable Frequency n=60 Percentage %

Emotional effects 56 93.3

Physical effects 45 75

Social effects 37 61.7

RecommendationsBotswana has to strengthen its commitment and

action especially in including the boy childBotswana has to concentrate on the prevention

programs rather than responsiveSpecific psychosocial support programmes for boys Capacity building for boys to know how to live with

the girl childStrengthen the capacity of service professions who

work with children the family system to seek for help when their boys

Recommendations (2)Have specific psychosocial programs for boys

who experience domestic violenceStrengthening research on domestic violence

and the boy child as well as having a systematic nation data collection

Recommendation (3) Using PSS

Thank you!Na totela!Kealeboga!