“Prevalent” and “ongoing” were some of the words used to describe the state of child abuse in South Africa at the International Conference For Preventing Violence in Cape Town on Thursday.
At present South Africa is ranked second in the world when it comes to violent incidents in schools.
This according to Melanie Moen and Miemsie Steyn from the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Pretoria who presented research on young children’s experiences of violence.
Moen and Steyn conducted their research by asking 224 South African children from diverse urban schools‚ between the ages of six and nine‚ to draw pictures of experiences that make them sad.
“A number of children drew pictures depicting physical and verbal bullying‚ mostly at the hands of other children‚” Moen said.
The researchers also emphasised the link between violence and bullying‚ stating that when children experience violence within their households‚ they in turn re-expose forms of violence on their peers at schools.
“Bullying is violence.
“A bully is often a child who wants an audience.
“In many instances young children don’t always realise that they need to be empathetic and to assist other victims.
“Children don’t always realise that they can offer help‚” Moen said.
“We found that prolonged bullying undoubtedly has a negative effect on a child’s mind-set.
“These children start to believe that they are not good enough‚ that they are not loved and it causes long-term emotional scarring.”
The study was conducted as part of a larger project within the field of social sciences.
According to Steyn‚ the research has seen the University of Pretoria making amendments to its curriculum to incorporate modules that look specifically at bullying.
“The subject Life Skills is taught within the Foundation Phase Learning Programme in all South African schools and the findings of this study will be used to inform policy and curriculum development to promote safer schools and community environments.
“We have it in our power to exchange violence with a safe and nurturing environment. Life orientation is the forum or the platform where these things can be addressed. Something we need to address is teaching children from a young age as to what is right and wrong and teaching them how to protect one another‚” Steyn said.
School bully study shows harm of violence at home
“Prevalent” and “ongoing” were some of the words used to describe the state of child abuse in South Africa at the International Conference For Preventing Violence in Cape Town on Thursday.
At present South Africa is ranked second in the world when it comes to violent incidents in schools.
This according to Melanie Moen and Miemsie Steyn from the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Pretoria who presented research on young children’s experiences of violence.
Moen and Steyn conducted their research by asking 224 South African children from diverse urban schools‚ between the ages of six and nine‚ to draw pictures of experiences that make them sad.
“A number of children drew pictures depicting physical and verbal bullying‚ mostly at the hands of other children‚” Moen said.
The researchers also emphasised the link between violence and bullying‚ stating that when children experience violence within their households‚ they in turn re-expose forms of violence on their peers at schools.
“Bullying is violence.
“A bully is often a child who wants an audience.
“In many instances young children don’t always realise that they need to be empathetic and to assist other victims.
“Children don’t always realise that they can offer help‚” Moen said.
“We found that prolonged bullying undoubtedly has a negative effect on a child’s mind-set.
“These children start to believe that they are not good enough‚ that they are not loved and it causes long-term emotional scarring.”
The study was conducted as part of a larger project within the field of social sciences.
According to Steyn‚ the research has seen the University of Pretoria making amendments to its curriculum to incorporate modules that look specifically at bullying.
“The subject Life Skills is taught within the Foundation Phase Learning Programme in all South African schools and the findings of this study will be used to inform policy and curriculum development to promote safer schools and community environments.
“We have it in our power to exchange violence with a safe and nurturing environment. Life orientation is the forum or the platform where these things can be addressed. Something we need to address is teaching children from a young age as to what is right and wrong and teaching them how to protect one another‚” Steyn said.
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