Perceptions and possible solutions for violence against children among mothers of under five

Abstract

Background: Violence has been one of the most complex contemporary phenomena and their manifestations are responsible for social and mental disturbances of children. This phenomenon is a serious problem of global public health, presenting various causes that compromise socio-cultural levels of society. The objective of the study was to assess the perceptions on causes and consequences of violence against children among mothers of under five children and to describe the common solutions for the violence against children as perceived by mothers.

Methods: This qualitative research was undertaken in the urban field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, JSS Medical College, Mysore. A total of 20 women were interviewed for free-listing exercise and the data regarding their perception about causes, consequences and methods of prevention of violence on children were collected. The data collected through free listing and pile sorting was analyzed using Visual Anthropac 1.0.

Results: Among 20 subjects interviewed, mean age of the women interviewed was 29.6 years, 70% were completed basic schooling, 30% had history of substance abuse by family members. Common themes emerged out were subjects being not aware of child abuse, opined that child abuse was solely from family members, claimed that they do not abuse their children, opted to remain silent in the circumstances of child abuse, believed it hamper child growth.

Conclusions: It is necessary to intervene violence as it means to prevent it through short- and long-term goals such as the implementation of public policies, programs that aim at changes capable of modifying the conditions that favour this phenomenon.