Abstract
This paper aimed at examining the effects of community-based child protection mechanisms on sexual violence against children in Rombo District, Tanzania. Little research has been conducted using robust methodologies to investigate the effects of community-based child protection mechanisms in Tanzania. Thus, a mixed-method study design using interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data on the effects of community-based child protection mechanisms in Rombo District in Kilimanjaro region. The region has been implementing community-based child protection mechanisms interventions to end sexual violence against children. One hundred and fifty-eight (158) participants were involved in the study. A hundred and eight (108) respondents participated in a survey, forty participated in focus group discussions and ten participated in interviews. Data were analysed quantitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 and qualitatively using thematic categories to facilitate interpretation. The study finding indicated that Community-based Child Protection Mechanisms have a contribution towards ending sexual violence against children. The interventions have made parents more vigilant, willing and ready to report sexual violence against children to community-based child protection mechanisms, have improved access to services on sexual violence against children, have increased proper handling of cases reported to community-based child protection mechanisms and have improved reporting of sexual violence against children cases to the Police and Social Welfare Officers. Furthermore, the interventions have improved case management and have strengthened collaboration between actors in Rombo District. However, lack of funds and inadequate knowledge and skills have constrained the implementation of community-based child protection mechanisms interventions in Rombo District. Therefore, the study recommends that the government and Civil Society Organizations should invest in community-based child protection mechanisms in terms of the provision of financial resources and skills development in order to combat sexual violence against children.
Highlights
Sexual Violence Against children is one of the largest silent global pandemics, comprising sexual abuse and rape affecting all children below the age of 18 years (Ligiero et al, 2019)
The current study investigated the Community-based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPMs) women and child protection committees in Rombo District
Most 84.6 percent of the respondents agreed that the CBCPMs have galvanized community efforts to prevent sexual violence against children in the study area
Summary
Sexual Violence Against children is one of the largest silent global pandemics, comprising sexual abuse and rape affecting all children below the age of 18 years (Ligiero et al, 2019). To combat sexual violence against children, Tanzania has established Community-based Child Protection Mechanisms (CBCPMs) such as women and child protection committees across Tanzania as per the National Plan of Action to Eliminate Violence against Women and Children (NPA VAWC 2017/2018-2021/2022). The CBCPMs are fundamental elements of the child protection system, the network or group of individuals to protect children against exploitation, abuse, violence and neglect (Wessells et al, 2014). The evolution of CBCPMs dates back to the 1990s and 2000s, when many works of international agencies on child protection solely focused on child labour, child trafficking, street children and sexual exploitation. Children were supported through these interventions, evidence indicates that these interventions were fragmented and did not have much effect on the protection of children against abuse
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