Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INDEX NO.
DECLARATION
I declare that this is my original work it has not been presenter in any other college for
making for the award of any certificate or Diploma
Name ..
Sign.
Supervisors declaration
This research has been submitted for examination with the approval as the supervisor.
Name
Sign
ii
DEDICATION
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The completion of this study would not have been easy without the assistance and
encouragement from other people. I therefore wish to thank people who offered a hand to see
the study through successful.
I wish to acknowledge my lecturer Mrs. Leah Kiune who assist me through when I was
writing my report, my head teacherMrs.Tupei for granting me permission while when
carrying out my research. My colleagues for having discuss and supported me while going
through my literature review.
I will not forget my E.C.D.E teacher Mrs. Koskei Sarah and the entire Ainamoi ward
community for their assistance during collection of questionnaires.
May God almighty bless them.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION .......................................................................................................................ii
DEDICATION ......................................................................................................................... iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................ iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................. viii
LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................. ix
ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS .................................................................................... x
ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................................. xi
CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................... 12
1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 12
1.1 Background of the study. ............................................................................................... 12
1.2 Statement of the problem. .............................................................................................. 12
1.3 Purpose of the study. ...................................................................................................... 13
1.4 Objectives of the study. ................................................................................................. 13
1.5 Research questions. ........................................................................................................ 13
1.6 Significance the study. ................................................................................................... 13
1.7 Delimitation of the study. .............................................................................................. 14
1.7.1 Limitations of the study. ............................................................................................. 14
1.8 Definition of terms. ........................................................................................................ 14
CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................... 16
2.0 Introduction. ................................................................................................................... 16
2.1 Literature review ............................................................................................................ 16
2.1.1 Ways in which children are abused ............................................................................ 17
2.2 Effect of child abuse ...................................................................................................... 18
2.2.1 cognitive/psychological effects. .................................................................................. 18
2.2.2 Physical effects ........................................................................................................... 18
2.2.3 Social effects of child abuse ....................................................................................... 19
2.3.4 Emotional effects ........................................................................................................ 19
2.3 Types of child abuse. ..................................................................................................... 19
2.3.1 Emotional abuse .......................................................................................................... 19
2.3.1.l signs of emotionally abused child............................................................................. 20
2.3.2 Neglect ........................................................................................................................ 20
2.3.3 Physical abuse ............................................................................................................. 20
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2.3.3.1 What are the characteristics of parents who physically abuse children? ................. 21
2.3.3.3 Family violence........................................................................................................ 21
2.3.3.4 Who commits domestic violence? ........................................................................... 21
2.3.3.5 Signs in childhood ................................................................................................... 22
2.3.3.6 Signs in adulthood ................................................................................................... 22
2.3.4 Sexual abuse Sexual abuse ......................................................................................... 22
2.3.4.1 Who are most likely to be abused? .......................................................................... 22
2.3.4.3 Organized sexual abuse ........................................................................................... 23
2.3.4.4. What are the circumstances in which children are subject to organized sexual
abuse?................................................................................................................................... 23
2.3.4.5 Who is most likely to be sexually abused in organized context? ............................ 23
2.3.4.6 Signs in childhood ................................................................................................... 23
2.4 What are the effects of child abuse and neglect? ........................................................... 23
2.4.1 Physical effects on infants .......................................................................................... 24
2.4.2 Effects on Brain development..................................................................................... 25
2.4.3 Other health related problems ..................................................................................... 25
2.4.4 Cognitive development and academic achievement. .................................................. 26
2.4.5 Emotional psychological and behavioral development .............................................. 26
2.4.6 Emotional and psychological consequences ............................................................... 26
2.4.7 Violence substance abuse and other problem behaviors ............................................ 26
2.4.8 Resilience .................................................................................................................... 27
2:5 Risk factor associated with child maltreatment can be grouped in four domains ......... 27
2.5.1 Parent or caregiver factors .......................................................................................... 27
2.5.1.1 Personality characteristics and psychological wellbeing ......................................... 28
2.5 1.2 parental histories and the cycle of abuse ................................................................. 28
2.5.1.3 Substance abuse ....................................................................................................... 28
2.5.1.4 Attitude and knowledge ........................................................................................... 29
2.5.1.1 Age ........................................................................................................................... 29
2.5.2 Family factors ............................................................................................................. 30
2.5.2.1 Family structure. ...................................................................................................... 30
2.5.2.2 Marital conflict and domestic violence .................................................................... 30
2.5.2.3 Stress ........................................................................................................................ 30
2.5.3 Child factors ................................................................................................................ 31
2.5.3.1 Disabilities ............................................................................................................... 31
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vii
LIST OF TABLES
viii
LIST OF FIGURES
ix
ABSTRACT
The research was carried out of Ainamoi ward in Ainamoi Division Kericho County to study
ways in which children are abused.
Carried out on children under the age of 3-14 years. The simple consist of parents, teachers
and focused groups discussion. The study was carried out within a purpose and finding out
ways in which this abuse could be eradicated.
The researcher possible findings
Children were highly abused through rape, lack of education, Child labour and
lack of basic needs.
Childrens were affected in all aspect for example physically and emotional and
there were school dropout poor performance, poor growth and development.
Child abuse is eradicated by people being taught on the rights of children and the
government being firm in enforcing the nights is law of children.
The research recommends that:Community, parents and teachers should actively participate in fighting for childrens right in
all levels.
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
This research was conducted in Ainamoi Division in Kericho County to find out the effects of
child abuse among children age 3-8 years in E.C.D.E centers
The chapter contains the following sub-headings:
Background of the study
Statement of the study
Objectives of the study
Research hypothesis or questions
Scope and delimitation of the study
Limitation of the study
Operational definition of terms
attend schools. Caregivers and most of our parents play a large role in child abuse for
example sexualabuse is highly practiced in some areas in Ainamoi ward and country at large.
Child abuse is also practiced at our homes by parents example beating their children
mercilessly. It is in this view that the researcher decided to conduct a research to find out the
effects of child abuse among young children age between 3-8 years in E.C.D.E centers in
Ainamoi ward.
The society to be aware that children are very important and a source of joy and
wealth to the family, therefore there is need to protecting children against any abuse
and take any legal action on the offenders
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Government can be more firm on child rights and discipline the people offending
children and also promoting education
Parents to know the rights and how the child is being affected through abuse
Teachers to know the effects of child abuse and know how to handle children who are
abused
Caregivers to know the right of the children and how they are abused.
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CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Introduction.
This chapter analyzes manuscript the researcher use it also contains the ways in which
children areabused, physically effect, cognitive effect, social effect of child abuse and the
solution to the same.
Effects of alcoholism as a menace have torn down the weak areas in the tent some men forget
that their children are barely asleep some even reach out for their wives in full view of the
children thus leading to social fraction as women as women who cannot stand such drunken
Sexualexposure chooses to seek refuge elsewhere to spare their children the same. It is
reported also that even those who have partitioned their tent hardly get privacy a couple
needs. Worse still when the school closes and children spent the whole time running up and
down in their polythene homes.
Children often who are born in this scenario sometimes succumb to respiratory complications
while still babies. The living condition that has led numerous pneumonia and asthma related
cases people with respiratory disorder require a clean environment but with this tent sewing
as bedrooms sitting and store rooms thus accelerate the allergies.
Summary the lack of privacy within this refugee camp has turn resident children into
decedent imps and therefore pose a huge risk to social development children. Many of those
who are force to share little space they have within their parents and in some cases even with
total strangers.
There is no single cause of child mistreatment nor there do any single description that
captures all the families in which children are victims of abuse and neglect. children
mistreatment occur across social-economic religious ,cultural racial ethnic group while no
specific cause have been identified that lead to parent or caregiver to abuse or neglect a child
research has recognize a number of risk factors or attributes commonly associated with
mistreatment. children within families and environment in which this factors exist have a
higher probability of experiencing mistreatment in one family may not result to child abuse
and neglect in another family for example several researchers notice the relation between
poverty and mistreatment yet it must be noted most people living in poverty do not harm their
children.
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d) Emotional abuse which result in repeated verbal abuse of a child in form of shutting
them in the dark night. Close rooms and social isolation such as denying a child
friends
e) Physical neglect which occurs when parents fail to provide adequate supervision and
consistent failure to protect from hazard or danger.
f) Taaon (1985) stated that poverty lead to child labor. Children tent to go outside their
homes and search for productive place where they can get their basic needs. This
poverty lead to street children who daily struggle for their survival without family
support thus lead to abandoned children.
attached children. Sexual abuse may lead to abortion which may result to death or contracting
diseases like fibroids
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children over the last five year, a number of former students against Australian schools who
failed to protect them against victimization by other children.
2.3.1.1 Signs of emotionally abused child
An emotionally abused child exhibits the following characters
Unhappy, frightened and distressed
Behave, aggressively and antisocially
Experience difficulties with academic achievements and school swings
Eating problems
Self-harm and sociability
2.3.2 Neglect
Complains of neglect constitute a significant proportion of notifications and referrals to child
protection services neglect refers to a range of circumstances in which a parent or a
caregiver fails to adequately provide for a Childss needs.
Through the provision of food, shelter and clothing, by ensuring adequate supervision and
control of the child
By showing appropriate moral and legal guidance, by ensuring that the child regularly attends
school
According to Borazon and Anderson (2006) many parents outlined above. Parents in
financial need are also likely to be in contact with welfare services which in turn are more
likely to scrutinize their parenting practices and therefore more likely to these factors, poor
communities and poor families have often been stigmatized as epicenters of child abuse and
neglect. In fact when adults in the communities are asked to make retrospective reports,
emotional abuse and neglect occurs in all families rich or poor
2.3.3 Physical abuse
Physical abuse has been a normal aspect of domestic life (Gilles 1990) physical assaults that
would be serious criminal offences if committed by one man against another for instance
hitting, slapping or striking with an object, have been legally and socially sanctioned when
committed by a man against both women and children remain in epidemic proportions.
Community attitudes to violence against women and children have changed for the better.
Austrian policy makers have failed to outlaw physical assaults against children by cognitive
according to the 2007 report of the Global initiative to end all number of a country that have
failed to prohibit violence against children and has failed to commit to legislative reform.
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Strolls and Gilles (1990) findings state that a large sample of American families found that
2.4% of children had been kicked, bitten, punched or threatened and attached with a knife or
gun by their parents
An additional 8.5% had hit with an object by their parents
2.3.3.1 What are the characteristics of parents who physically abuse children?
Both boys and girls are equally likely to be physically assaulted by parents. Kaptan and
Lapruna (1998) research suggests that physical abuse peak when children are aged 4-8 years
old. Physical assault resulting in death occurs most often to infants and toddlers.
Physically abused children find it difficult relating to their peers and adults around them.
The constant threat of violence at home makes them perpetually vigilant and mistrustful and
may be overly domineering and aggressive behavior. They are also vulnerable to emotional
responses to everyday situations. (Berenson and Anderson 206) physically abused children
may also have problems with
Academic achievement
Physical development and coordination
Developing friendship and relationships
Aggression and anger to management
Depression, anxiety and low self esteem
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2.3.4.4. What are the circumstances in which children are subject to organized sexual
abuse?
Many children subject to organized abuse are raised in abusive families and their parents
make them available for abuse outside the home. This abuse may include extended family
members, family friends or people paid to abuse the child. (Freeman 1996) other children are
bratticed into organized abuse by perpetrator in schools, churches, states or religious
institutions or whilst homeless or without stable housing
of limitations of current research. May research efforts have stickled the effects of child
maltreatment among individuals from lower socio economic backgrounds, prisons,
population, mental health patient or other clinical populations who may exhibits the most
serious behavior problem and whose families often have had many other problems for
example poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence,studies often rely on official records or
self-reporting of current or past child maltreatment are different for each child family and
these differences may influence the consequences.
Despite the above challenges it is still possible to identify effects that have been more
commonly associated with individual who have experience abuse and neglect. These effects
are discussed in the sections that follow as they relate to their overlapping areas
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least 25% more likely for a variety of adolescent problem behaviors, including teenage
pregnancy, drug abuse, low academic achievements and mental health problems, it must be
under scored however that while the risk is higher most abused and neglected children will
not become diligent experience, adolescent problem behaviors or become involved in violent
crime
2.4.8 Resilience
Not every child who is maltreated will experience the negative consequences discussed
protective factors that appear to serve as butter against. The effects of the negative experience
may include:
Personal characteristics such as optimum, high self-esteem high intelligence or a
sense of hopefulness
Social support and relationships with supportive adult. The costs for child
maltreatment include both direct costs (i.e. those associated with longer terms
secondary effects of children maltreatment). Since some maltreatment goes
unrecognized and it is difficult to link costs to specified incidents. It is not possible to
determine the actual cost child abuse and neglect. In the limited states it may be high
as for billion.
2:5 Risk factor associated with child maltreatment can be grouped in four domains
Family factor
Environment factor
It is recognized that child maltreatments arises from the interaction of multiple factors across
these four domains. Assessment of the specific risk factors that affect a family may influence
the prioritization of intervention services attended e.g. substance abuse moreover addressing
risk and protective factors can help to prevent child abuse and neglect.
History of maltreatment
27
Substance abuse
History of maltreatment
Substance abuse
Attitude of knowledge
Age
28
Research supports the association between substance abuse and child maltreatment for
example according to Tacom 1985) a retrospective study of maltreatment found out that those
children whose parents abused alcohol and other drugs were almost three times like to be
abused and more than four times like to be neglected than children of parents who were not
substance abusers
Substance abuse can interfere with a parents mental functioning,judgment inhibitors and
protective capability. Parents significantly attach by the needs use of drugs and alcohol may
neglect the needs of their children or get money on drugs instead of their children spend
money on drugs instead of household expenses or get involved in criminal activities that
jeopardize their childrens health studies also suggests that substance can influence parental
discipline choices and child learning styles
2.5.1.1 Age
Caregiver age may be a risk factor for some forms of maltreatment. However research
findings are inconsistent. Some studies of the physical abuse in particular have found their
child exhibited higher rates of child abuse than older mothers. Other contributing factors such
as low economic status, lack of social support and higher stress level may influence the link
between younger childbirth particularly teenage parenthood and child abuse
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2.5.2.3 Stress
Stress is also thought to play significant role in family functioning. Although it is exact
relationship with maltreatment is not fully understood. Physical abuse has been associated
withstressful life events, parenting stress and emotional distress. In various studies it is not
clear however whether maltreating parents actually experience or as being stressful. Special
stress situation e.g. loosing job, physical illness, mental problem or death of family members
attached for example hostility anxiety or depression and that may also aggregate the level of
family conflict and maltreatment
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2.5.3.1 Disabilities
Children with cognitive, physical and emotional disabilities appear to experience higher rates
of maltreatment than other children.
According to mother Teresa (1993) children with disabilities were by times more likely to be
maltreatment than children who are perceived by their parents as different or who have
special needs including children with disabilities should be attended properly
The demands for caring for these children may overwhelm their parents. Description may
occur in the bonding attachment process. Particularly if children are irrespective to attention
or if the children are separated by frequent hospitalization children with disabilities also may
be vulnerable to repeated maltreatment because they may not understand that the abusive
behaviors are in appropriate and they may be unable to escape or defend themselves in
abusive situations
Rod Platnik Meritus Protestor, department of psychology, San Diego states University
describes several theories related to the association between poverty and maltreatment all of
which may hold some truth. One theory is that low income creates greater family stress,
which in turn leads to higher chances of maltreatment. A second theory is parents with low
incomes, despite good intentions, may be unable to provide adequate care while raising
children in high risk neighborhood with unsafe or crowed housing and inadequate day care
A third theory is that some other characteristics may make the parents more likely to be both
poor and abusive, for example a parent may have a substance abuse problem that impedes the
parents ability to obtain and maintain a job, which also may contribute to abusive behaviour.
A final theory is that poor families may experience maltreatment at rates similar to other
families but that maltreatment in poor families is reported more frequently in pent because
they have contact with and are under greater scrutiny from individuals who are legally
mandated to report suspected child maltreatment
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CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Introduction
In this chapter the procedures and steps to be followed will be discussed, the location of
study, the target population sample and sampling techniques, research instruments data
collection procedures and data analysis have been captured in this chapter.
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CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Introduction.
Here the researcher comes up with various ways on which the child is abused and can
identify the ways of stopping the child abuse and mistreatment
4.1 Data analysis.
In this chapter the researcher reports the findings and discussion on study of child abuse m
relation to learning among children in ECDE centers in Ainamoi Ward, Ainamoi division
Kericho County.
The findings will be guided by the following objectives:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Find out ways of reducing child abuse. A table showing age of abused children.
Response
0 - 3 years
4 - 7 years
8 11 years
12-15 years
Total
Frequency of mention
156
36
2
200
Percentage
78 %
18 %
4%
100 %
40
30
20
10
0
0-3 years
4-7 years
8-11 years
36
12-15 years
Neglect
0-3 years
4-7 years
8-11 years
12-15 years
Total
80
8
2
90
Child
labour
15
12
3
30
Sexual
Physical
20
10
2
32
41
6
1
48
Frequency
of mention
156
36
8
200
Percentage
78 %
18 %
4%
100 %
0-3 years
4- 7 years
8-11 years
12-15 years
Ages 4-7 years depicts high incidence of child abuse at 78% years 8-11 years at 18% and 1215 years at 4% respectively.
Awareness in the highly category of 12-15 years contributes to low incidence of 4% wheres
the lower age category reflects the vulnerability status due to ignorance and incapability to
defend themselves.
37
Frequency of mention
72
36
12
16
64
200
Percentage
36%
18%
8%
65%
32%
100%
culture
education
insecurity
poverty
post election violence
Culture contribute to the highest percentage of reasons why some were abused at 36%
followed by post-election violence at 32% and education at 18% respectively, poverty and
insecurity tells at mere 8 percent and 6% respectively which also emanate from post-election
violence.
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CHAPTER FIVE
5.2 Summary.
The research reveal that the age most abused is between 4-7 years this therefore implies that
children age 4-7 years are more vulnerable to abuse due to their inability to defend
themselves at that age levels they defenses ignorant and unexposed to such acts . The 78%
factor had no intention to be abused but the research the research reveals the contributing
factors to child abuse as:
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Family factors -poverty level are quite high in such families which are large and unable to
control the size of the family hence they are exposed to family breakage and early marriages
due to such vices as poor planning and lack of family unity advices and talk.
Environmental factors such as poor whether condition drought and other natural calamities
such as hail damages most damages often lead to loss of food and destruction too much
coldencourage indoor most of the time hence attract recreational activities an act leading to
sex since it is only means of entertainment in poor families which result to upland
pregnancies and sexual abuse, physical or emotional abuses the formal and informal
education is mandatory recruitment in both community level and family level and the formal
one are discriminated through institutions. Pre-school, religious set ups Sunday school in
churches should be enforced primary and even tertiary to the parents are a prerequisite to
eliminate abuse in all levels at age groups
Lack of finance- financial income and its availability empower the community, families and
parents to afford basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter to their school going
children. This eliminates the abuse in one way or another the school going children shall
never succumb to begging or any other influence from potential abuses. Lack of playing
materials will make children move from their home to neighborhood which might not be safe.
The abusers may rise from the able parents or forced work. Emotionally the affected children
will never develop well live in a life wishfully con4itions and trauma.
5.3 Conclusions.
The study revealed that out of two hundred children interview only 22% were not abused in
one way or another neglect in the age of 4-7years were8O responded positively, physically
abused had 41 children who positively responded ,20 and 15 children responded positively to
sexual and child labor abuses respectively 156 children of age 4-7 years total responded
wheres 36 children of age 8-11 years responded and lastly only 8 children of age group of
12-15 years responded to sexual abuse case and non in neglect cases.
In conclusion therefore of the children are abused and also means that it was highly affected
during the post-election violence.
5.4 Recommendations.
Child abuse is still a major problem in Ainamoi ward both social and emotional is still
hazardous. The researcher hence therefore hence the following concrete recommendation
40
which should help to reduce the high incidence of child labor if implemented immediately
exhaustively and therefore:
1. Recommended more effort to carry out especially by involving the community members
so as to come up with a clear solution and more views or curbing and totally stopping the
child abuse.
2. Would also recommend that the government caliber ate with community to implement the
preventive measures revealed by the researcher which include:
Introduction of more recreational facilities which will help promote correct use of
leisure time.
The government should consider finding the relevant ministry to help curb child
abuse through training personnel and provision of their salaries adequately.
The provisional administration should fully involve in both knowledge and daily
schedule within their sub-locations in following up case of child abuse. Their role
should input the issues of child abuse and care.
Legislation; the law should clearly spelled /enacted any cases of such magnitude
of child abuse should be dealt with promptly
The local health centre and institution should adhere and closely ensure maternal
clinic and child care strictly followed or attended to without fail.
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REFERENCES
Brasses (1999) the story of child abuse
Beguile AND BOYDEN (1988) prepetition on child employment
DONNEL (1999) Ways of reducing child abuse
ENNEW AND MICHE (1989) children in poverty socialist countries
GOUSER (1990) children in the street
JUDITH AND ENNEW (1979] child labor.
L.V THOMMAS [1981] EARLY marriages and female genital mutilation.
MOTHER TERESS [1979] form of child abuse.
UNICEF [1990] children in drug trafficking
WEINSER (1989) child labor
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APPENDIX B
44
45
3. What should be done in order to reduce the present high incident of teenage pregnancies.
a) Intensify education to the community
b) Education to the teenagers through school programs
c) Introduction to counseling programs in schools
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APPENDIX E:
PICTURE COLLECTION OF IDPS ON CHILD ABUSE BASED ON
POST ELECTION IN SOME PARTS OF KENYA
1. PICTURE I: me group of women displaced. A girl child and assorted tents luggage
family display from one magazine
2. Picture 11: a group of children besides their home tents subjected to abuse
3. Picture iii: a girl child on house tents chores and house wife duties
4. Picture IV: boys child gulping up some drinks subjected to hunger
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