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This work was originally produced for UNICEF

Adolescence

The Tanzania Violence Against Children Survey (TVACS) was led by a National Multi-Sector Task Force (MSTF), chaired by the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children and included members from public and private sectors, including government, and civil society organizations.

The survey showed that rates of physical and sexual violence are high in Tanzania. About 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys have had at least one experience of sexual violence prior to the age of 18. Over 70 per cent of children have experienced physical violence such as being punched, whipped or kicked and one quarter of all children have been emotionally abused. Commonly, the very institutions and individuals that are supposed to protect children – family, teachers, and police – are the main perpetrators of the violence and abuse.

For detailed findings of the survey see the Violence Against Children Fact-Sheet and/or the main Violence Against Children Report

The programme strategy includes action to prevent and respond to violence against children by the police, health services, schools, justice system and social welfare department. At district level the strategy aims to establish multi-sectoral teams across all these sectors to enable swift response to violations of children and to build trust in a confidential reporting mechanism.

The communication strategy reinforces the programme approach, bringing together initiatives in advocacy, social mobilization and behaviour change communication.

Communication Plan

The public awareness action plan addresses the confusion and fear of reporting violence, especially sexual violence, against children. identifying the following causes:

Children are afraid to report sexual/physical violence because they:

Feel embarrassed, guilty and responsible
Think that the perpetrator had the right to use violence or that it is “normal”
Do not realize they have been abused

Don’t know who or how to tell
Believe the perpetrator will do them more harm

Worry about what might happen to them or to their family if they do tell

Adults are afraid because they

Lack of understanding about what constitutes violence and abuse
Believe that effective child rearing must include physical punishment
Lack understanding of how abuse affects children
Lack knowledge about how to get help for an abused child
Do not know how to recognize that a child has been abused
Believe that the shame of the abuse will reflect negatively and socially exclude those who report it
Feel as parents they are to blame if their child is abused
Think that reporting abuse may result in a loss of livelihood

Some of these issues can be addressed by increasing the knowledge and understanding of violence - knowing what abuse is, what the impact is, who and how to report violence. Other issues require changes in attitudes towards violence in the wider society. The communication strategy aims to address both issue. See the presentation.

Primary audiences:

Children aged 4 – 12, and 13 - 18 years and parents/ caretakers of children aged 4 to 18 years, living in rural and urban environments in Tanzania

Secondary audiences:

Teachers, health workers, police, social workers, lawyers, judges and other professionals who come into contact with children affected by violence. Journalists, editors, parliamentarians, councillors, religious leaders and others who have influence over public opinion.

Objectives:

To raise awareness on the magnitude of violence and abuse of children
To build confidence among children to speak out about abuse and report any abuse to parents or caretakers
To educate and foster positive social behaviours within families and communities to prevent violence against children
To raise awareness about risky places where most sexual assaults occur ( at home and in neighbours’ houses, on the road to school, in school, at water points, in the bush), and encourage parents to take protective measures for their children
To promote zero tolerance of violence against children

KEY MESSAGES:

Increase awareness of the risks of violence

Sexual violence affects children of all ages. All children aged 0 – 18 are at risk! Help children understand their right to say “No!” to sexual violence
Do you know where your children are after school? Between 5 to 8 pm? Be ALERT and know where your children are!
How does your child get to school and come back? A child who travels on his or her own is more at risk than those who go to school in groups.
Do you send your child out at night to buy home stuff? You are exposing the child to people who can do harm who might be your neighbors!
Any form of violence against children is unacceptable. We are all responsible for protecting children; people who violate children should be reported to the police!

Violence and abuse harms more than the physical and mental health to children, the bond of trust with adults is destroyed and the consequences stay with children to adulthood. Do not blame your child if they are a victim of violence. Ask for help.

Build confidence in children/parents to speak out and report violence and abuse

Be aware of strangers approaching in a manner that is too friendly or giving out small gifts!
You are not responsible for violence and abuse committed against you. Learn about your rights!
When you have experienced an abuse, don’t keep quite! Ask for help from someone you trust
Do not hesitate to seek help when a child is abused, go to the nearest police station, to the gender and children desk

Refuse to be alone with anyone or in a situation that makes you uncomfortable. Be ALERT!

Communication Channels

For children:

Pre/Primary/Secondary Schools – age-appropriate visual materials, songs, anonymous question boxes for school barazas, school plays, student councils
Parents – through radio/television/print for parent to child communication; visual materials in public places
Mass media for children – radio, billboards, painted walls
Easily identified logo asserting child friendly services for abuse victims in police stations, health centres
Childline – communication campaign for children to call in with questions about violence and abuse

Religious gatherings – Sunday school, Madrassas

For adults

Mass media including radio, television, using a variety of formats including soap operas, talk-shows, phone-in, magazine, road-shows broadcast via radio
Powerful printed materials displayed in public places – health facilities, bus stations, clubs, post-offices
Community barazas (meetings)
Religious leaders/congregations
Parent-teacher meetings
Police stations posting visual materials on the rights of children to justice and commitment to child-friendly services

Risk factors and barriers:

Cultural norms do not sanction talk about sex and abuse between parents and children
Children are not supposed to talk about sexual parts
Lack of understanding among parents can have long-term impact on children
Physical violence against children is accepted as common practice.

Overcoming obstacles:

Focusing on decision makers (parliamentarians, senior civil servants) and others with local and national influence, including teachers, religious leaders, the police and mass media, use multiple communication channels and face-to-face dialogue to convey the key findings of the Violence Against Children survey, the consequences for children and the wider society.

Identify champions and advocates among decision makers and others with influence who will use their position to promote action to protect children from violence