Parents are liable for undue violence

VIOLENCE in the family manifests itself in physical mistreatment, often repetitive, which is interrelated with the exercise of mental torture, neglect of basic needs and sexual molestation. Violence is executed in the closest family units where there are dependency relationships. Urban poor children are particularly vulnerable because of the hostile environment in which they live.

Violence against children is both physical and mental. In the Tanzanian context, child abuse encompasses a wide range of maltreatment of children, including physical injury, exploitation, sexual abuse, beggary, labour, and pawning. Violence against the disabled child is governed by shame, fear of public embarrassment, failure and frustration. A lot of domestic violence faced by the girl child can be traced to gender discrimination and patriarchy.

The situation in urban poor communities is further aggravated by changes in extended family structures, lack of security in homes as well as crowded neighbourhoods. Girls caring for younger siblings while their parents are at work, are often at risk of being molested by older male members of the family. Children are also exposed to danger when they have to go to toilets outside their homes, particularly at nights. Many children who take to the streets are at risk of being exploited - - sexually or commercially and forced into crime. Also, many children run away from their homes simply because they are unable to bear the violence resulting from alcoholism.

There is much secrecy and denial surrounding sexual abuse, especially when it is by a parent or relative. There is very little a doctor can do, except treat the child for the physical aspect of the problem, while the psychological trauma goes largely unattended. If the child insists on the parents acknowledging sexual abuse, he/she is not brought to the health centre for treatment any longer. It is ironical that the victim, because of financial and social dependence, has to continue to live with the abuser, particularly if it is a parent.

The problems of children inside their homes need to be more closely looked into. Victims of domestic violence often need psychiatric help and counseling. And parents should not be beyond the law when they subject their children to undue violence.