Child abuse in South Africa: rights and wrongs

Abstract

In a country in which human rights feature prominently in our discourse about who we are, as well as in the South African constitutional and legal framework, so many wrongs continue to be done to children. One category of wrongs is abuse, but it is not the only one. Poverty, patriarchy and gender violence, as well as the socialised obedience, dependency and silence of women and children, create conditions in which abuse can occur, often with few consequences. South Africa has extremely high rates of both physical and sexual abuse of children. Progressive, rights-based legislation exists to protect children, but it is not adequately supported or resourced by services to fulfil their provisions. Child abuse and neglect will not be significantly reduced in South Africa, without simultaneous improvements in the social and economic conditions in which very large numbers of children live.

Serious, Violent Young Offenders in South Africa

“…In the family, for example, children are at high risk of being exposed to harsh and inconsistent parenting, violence in the home, single parenting, and criminality of family members. While no national data on parenting practices is yet available in South Africa, rates of child maltreatment (the extreme end of harsh and inconsistent parenting) are high (Richter & Dawes, 2008). In a national survey, 33% of parents admitted to beating their children (Dawes, Long, Alexander, & Ward, 2004).…”

Development of a Communication Strategy to Reduce Violence against Children in South Africa: A Social-Ecological Approach

“…Enforcement remains weak across national and provincial government departments, with respect to both prevention of violence against children and adequate response to incidents of such violence (Proudlock, 2014). Moreover, the social context is complex; child abuse cases may entail complicity by families, the police and other services (Richter & Dawes, 2008).…”

Distance Parenting – Implications for Social Work Practice

“…The Constitution and the Children's Act emphasise the need for a child to be brought up in a stable family environment or an environment resembling it as much as possible, which also prohibits deliberately putting children in harmful situations such as maltreatment, abuse, neglect, exploitation or degradation, or exposing children to violence, exploitation or any other harm. Richter and Dawes (2008) assert that despite the protection intended by legislation and civic structures to safeguard children's rights, wrongs are perpetrated against a large number of South African children every day and families can be complicit in the abuse of children. The standard of care and level of support may be related to micro-level factors such as the child's age, maturity and stage of development, gender, background, and intellectual and emotional development, including any disability or chronic illness.…”

“…Combined with this are cultural practices and beliefs that have the potential to put women and children at a disadvantage or subject them to long-term harm (Richter & Dawes, 2008). The men's authority stands, even in their absence, and is transferred to other male relatives in the extended family (Mkhize, 2006), but so do their protection and responsibility to the family.…”