In a relatively backward society of Bangladesh, children everywhere are treated in a way that they do not deserve. Be it at homes, educational institutions or workplace, or even at the community they live, the elders often violate their delicate entity with physical abuse in the name of disciplining or correcting them. However, against the common perception, it has been found in a recent study, conducted by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), that children are more abused at homes than other places.
According to the study, about 95.8 per cent of children become victims of violence in their very homes whereas 86.1 children face emotional abuse and 82 per cent face physical abuse in educational institutes. They also suffer abuse significantly at the community level. At the workplace where children are driven by poverty, 72 per cent of them also face emotional abuse and 55.3 per cent suffer physical violence. A significant number of children also experiences sexual violence at educational institutes (24.1 per cent), at the community level (36 per cent) and at workplaces (37.8 per cent). After surveying a total of 5,078 children, both urban rural areas of 11 districts, the MJF arrived at the findings which are indeed worrying.
While sociologists point out that a lot of people living in society are yet to learn how to treat children fairly, the fact that must be accepted is even though there are stringent laws for deterrence against violence, as they are hardly implemented, violence against children continues as usual. Therefore, to control child abuse, it is as much necessary to educate the members of society as it is important to enforce the relevant laws in their words and spirit.
When it is related to educating people about crimes, if education and punishment for criminal behaviour does not act as complementary, it is not possible to bring about the desired change in society regarding violence against children.
But how can people be sensitized against their wrong behaviour? Educating the larger society in morality and launching social movements against violence can be helpful. Social awareness development groups and NGOs as well as media with the active help from the government can do this by organizing campaigns against violence of children. Conscious individuals in their own domains such as families and workplaces can also play their due role. But it is a must to ensure that all relevant laws against violence are applied in their full force.
