Effectiveness of community based child protection structures in addressing violence against children in Nakisunga sub-county,Mukono district.

Abstract

The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of community-based child protection structures (CBCPS) in addressing violence against children. Globally, it is estimated that 150 million girls and 73 million boys worldwide are raped or subjected to other forms of sexual violence each year (Save the children, 2013) Children who have experienced violence are also more likely to perpetuate the circle of violence, passing on patterns of violence to their peers or to future generations. Putting an end to all forms of violence in families, schools, and communities is of crucial importance for children’s rights and well-being (Save the children, 2010). Thus, UN report recommended Community based child protection structures (CBCPS) as the first line of response for child protection concerns. The CBCPS first worked well in emergency situations where family and kinship structures were weakened or destroyed, scattered and Government could not reach all the children in their villages and so CBCPS had to be set up across different districts. However, despite the fact that child protection structures exist at the community level, there are still high numbers of children facing violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse. In addition, the Uganda report on violence against children, indicated that, of Ugandans aged 9 -17 years, one in four girls (25%) and one in ten boys (11%) reported violence in the past year (MGLSD, 2018). Therefore, the study aimed at understanding performance of CBCPS in terms of identification, prevention and response in addressing violence against children in the community. The study thus used qualitative methods to assess performance and roles of CBCPS. The study was done on 14 focus group discussions (4 groups - community members, 5 groups - children in and 5 groups out of school. 20 members participated in-depth interviews,3 with members of CBCPS, children and caregivers whose children faced violence. The study revealed that CBCPS are effective in addressing VAC because they conduct home visits to provide counselling and are able to identify VAC cases, sensitize care givers on child protection, follow up reported cases to ensure that victims get a service, refer victims of VAC to available service providers like police-child protection units and later to courts of law. Therefore, research evidence indicates that CBCPS can be effective in addressing child protection issues through roles they perform and when there is collaboration of networks, providing services as well as effective child protection policies.