A SECONDARY ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM CHILDLINE ZIMBABWE Understanding Violence Against Children in Zimbabwe Data Series Acknowledgements: This report has been prepared by Nicole Petrowski (consultant) and Dr. Deborah Fry, from the University of Edinburgh as part of the Zimbabwe Childline Study for Improved Monitoring commissioned by UNICEF Zimbabwe. Gratitude goes to the following Childline Zimbabwe staff who provided valuable insights and ideas, contributed their time and effort towards data extraction, and who work with tireless dedication to protect and support the rights of children in Zimbabwe: Ygainnia Hamandawana, Ratidzai Moyo, Mandlenkosi Zikali, Daphne Chinyemba and Maureen Kambarami. Thanks are also extended to the National Director of Childline Zimbabwe, Stella Motsi, for her willingness to be engaged in the process. The work undertaken to prepare this report would not have been possible without the support and input from several key UNICEF Zimbabwe staff: Noriko Izumi, Line Baago Rasmussen and Jeremiah Chinodya. Appreciation is also extended to Mary Catherine Maternowska (UNICEF) who was the vision behind the Childline Analysis and who is leading a global research agenda on violence prevention at the UNICEF Office of Research alongside Alina Potts. Special thanks also goes to Eilidh Moir (University of Edinburgh). Suggested citation: The University of Edinburgh (UoE), Childline Zimbabwe and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Zimbabwe. A Secondary Analysis of Childline Zimbabwe Data. Harare: UNICEF, 2016 This publication is part of the Understanding Violence Against Children in Zimbabwe Series. Children from all parts of society may be exposed to physical, sexual and psychological violence, abuse and exploitation. This is a growing concern due to the negative health and developmental consequences for children and society both at present and in the future. While evidence is relatively limited on the extent of violence and abuse, studies are beginning to suggest that it is a significant problem in Zimbabwe. The Understanding Violence Against Children in Zimbabwe Series aim to contribute to this growing body of evidence to understand better why violence against children is happening and what is driving it. The Series draws data largely from the UNICEF-supported interventions where diverse information is being collected as part of programme monitoring. The Series attempt to give it a closer look at the data and information at hand and dig deeper the issue of violence against children in Zimbabwe. We hope to generate evidence, create deeper understanding of the issue and stimulate discussions – all to better inform programming to address violence against children in Zimbabwe. This paper was produced by the University of Edinburgh for UNICEF Zimbabwe in March 2016. The opinions and statements presented here do not necessarily represent those of UNICEF. For more information please contact Noriko Izumi ([email protected]) or Line Baago Rasmussen ([email protected]). 2 UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN ZIMBABWE DATA SERIES 1 KEY FINDINGS • In 2014, Childline received a total of 15,446 reports; • Reports of sexual abuse received by the helpline in half were received by the helpline and the other half 2014 were more common among older age groups came in through one of its 31 drop-in centres located than younger ones, while neglect and physical abuse across the country. became less commonly reported. • Fifty-four per cent of all reports received in 2014 were • Across all age groups of boys, the most commonly about abuse, at a rate of 123.9 reports per 100,000 reported forms of abuse received by the helpline in children; the remaining 46 per cent were reports of 2014 were physical abuse and neglect; reports related “children in need”, at a rate of 106.9 per to sexual abuse against girls increased with age. 100,000 children. • At most drop-in centres in 2014, reports of abuse • Slightly more than one in three (39 per cent) reports about girls were more likely than those about boys. of abuse received in 2014 were about sexual abuse, followed by neglect (25 per cent), physical abuse (22 • There was a 21 per cent increase in the number of per cent), emotional abuse (12 per cent) and bullying reports received by Childline between 2011 and 2014. (2 per cent). • Between 2011 and 2014, there was a 163 per cent • Among all reports of abuse in 2014, around two in increase in reports received by the helpline while there three (70 per cent) were reports about girls compared was a 20 per cent decrease in reports received by to one in three about boys (30 per cent). drop-in centres over this same time period. • Among girls reported to have experienced some form • Reports about sexual abuse received by Childline of abuse in 2014, the majority were reported as having (through both the helpline and drop-in centres) experienced sexual abuse while the largest proportion showed a 100 per cent increase during the four-year of reports received about boys were for reasons period from 2011 to 2014. of neglect. • Reports of abuse received about girls remained • Of all reports of abuse received by the helpline for consistently higher than those received about boys both sexes in 2014, around one in three were reports between 2011 and 2014. about children between the ages of 13 and 15 years. • Childline has seen a 70 and 80 per cent increase in • Fifty-five per cent of abuse reports about girls received the number of reports of physical abuse against boys by the helpline in 2014 were about those aged 13-17 and girls, respectively, between 2011 and 2014; there years compared to 36 per cent of abuse reports made has also been a 109 per cent increase in the number about boys for this age group. of reports of sexual abuse against girls during this time period. UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN ZIMBABWE DATA SERIES 1 3 © UNICEF/2013/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi CONTENTS Acknowledgments 2 Background 6 Objectives 7 Methodology 8 Findings 11 Annex 20 UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN ZIMBABWE DATA SERIES 1 5 BACKGROUND Childline Zimbabwe is a child focused, not-for-profit Other services include: community-based organization (CBO), founded in 1997 by Soroptimist International of Zimbabwe, an • Follow-up home visits by social workers or community International Women’s Service organization with volunteer counsellors in their local districts for members in 115 countries. Childline provides therapeutic reports of child abuse or neglect received through and educational services to all children in the country the helpline or postal service. This service is provided under the age of 18.1 The overall aim of Childline is to in partnership with the Government’s Department listen, comfort and protect children in need. The mission of Child Welfare and Protection and police officers of Childline is: in the Victim Friendly Unit. The social workers and community volunteer counsellors often provide • To respond to all children in distress, to counsel, ongoing counselling and support to children and/or comfort and protect all children in Zimbabwe; and their families to ensure the safety, appropriate care and healthy development of children; and • To promote, foster and encourage the protection and care of all children in Zimbabwe. • Advocacy activities at both local and national levels to promote the prevention of child abuse, exploitation The main service provided by Childline is free and and neglect and raise awareness of children’s rights. confidential counselling, accessed by children directly Childline works with the media, private-sector partners or by members of the community with concerns about and various government ministries and also provides children via three methods: trainings on a regular basis to promote children’s rights and the safeguarding of children across the country. • A free, confidential 24-hour 116 helpline accessible from all phones (both landlines and mobiles regardless Childline is run by a National Director appointed by a of network) in Zimbabwe, subject to GSM coverage Board of Trustees. The Director is supported by a team in the area. Childline’s two call centres are located of 35 dedicated professionals and over 150 volunteers to in Harare and Bulawayo, and are operated by trained ensure the efficient running of Childline serving the most volunteers providing counselling in three languages: vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. Childline Zimbabwe is English, Shona and Ndebele; an active member of Child Helpline International (CHI), which is a global network of telephone helplines and • Free postal service; and outreach services for children and young people. • Thirty-one community-based drop-in centres located across the country (covering all 10 provinces) operated by qualified social workers and counsellors supported by trained community volunteer counsellors. 1 Although persons under the age of 18 are considered children under Zimbabwean law, Childline will respond to any young person requesting assistance. 6 UNDERSTANDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN ZIMBABWE DATA SERIES 1 OBJECTIVES The purpose of the present secondary analysis was to 2. What proportion of reports received are related to utilize existing data collected by Childline Zimbabwe violence and abuse versus children in need at national through its 116 helpline and drop-in centres to describe level in 2014? Have these increased or decreased the current situation with regards to the number and over time? nature of reports received by Childline, including the different forms of violence and abuse against children 3. Of those cases about violence and abuse, what and the sex and age of children who are reported to be proportions are related to different categories of victims of violence. Additionally, trends in the number abuse and violence in 2014? (e.g., physical, sexual, and nature of reports received by Childline, the types emotional, neglect and bullying). Has this changed of abuse reported and selected characteristics of child over time? victims will also be described.