An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Child Protection Structures in the Elimination of Child Abuse: A Case Study of Formal and Informal Child Protection Structures in Kawempe North Division, Kampala City.

Abstract

MANISHIMWE EMILIAN (2011-M092-20023) An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Child Protection Structures in the Elimination of Child Abuse: A Case Study of Formal and Informal Child Protection Structures in Kawempe North Division, Kampala City. The research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Child Protection (CP) structures in the elimination of child abuse in Kawempe North division. For purposes of the study, the researcher selected CP structures that comprised of primary and secondary schools, family, local councils, child protection committees and the Justice, Law and Order sector institutions. The researcher was guided by a set of three research questions that were derived from the objectives of the study and these were: What are the factors that perpetuate child abuse in Kawempe North division? How effective are CP structures in the elimination of child abuse in Kawempe North division? What are the challenges faced by CP structures in providing justice for the children and upholding the rights of children in Kawempe North division? The research was a case study that took a representative area of Kawempe North division and assessed the phenomenon under study using a well-chosen sample group and appropriate data gathering tools, namely; questionnaires, interview guides, and group discussion guides. A general analysis of the effectiveness of the different CP structures in Kawempe division came up with 55.3% of the respondents highlighting that schools are effective in the elimination of child abuse through providing knowledge and skills to the children so that they can protect themselves and advocate for their rights. Fifty four percent (54%) of the respondents highlighted that the family structure is effective in the elimination of child abuse. As the first line of protection, the family instils in the children the necessary and acceptable societal values; provides to the children the essentials of life such as food, education, clothing and shelter. Furthermore, 53.3% of the respondents indicated that the police is effective in the elimination of child abuse. The police as the primary duty bearer of enforcing law and order in society and people, their intervention is always sought whenever child abuse occurs. Further, 55.8% of the respondents revealed that the family and child protection court is not effective partly because it is still new and relatively unknown to most people. Besides the courts rely on empirical evidence which is always very difficult to adduce in most cases of child abuse. More to that, 52.4% of the respondents indicated that the probation and welfare office is not effective because it lacks facilitation to not only enforce its decisions but also mount continuous programmes aimed at sensitising the population on the need to provide and care for their children. It is recommended that in order to improve the work and effectiveness of CP structures, there is need to always mount continuous awareness and sensitisation programmes, budgetary support, continuous monitoring and capacity building. Key Words: Child Protection Structures, Elimination, Child Abuse, Kampala City.