Exploring the effects and ways to mitigate child abuse on the mental development of rural female learners
- Author
- Makudza, Tongai
- Title
- Exploring the effects and ways to mitigate child abuse on the mental development of rural female learners
- Abstract
- This qualitative study looked into the effects and ways to mitigate child abuse on the mental development of rural female learners in three selected secondary schools in Masvingo District. the case study research design was used and open-ended questionnaires and focus group interviews were used to solicit data from senior teachers and victims of child abuse respectively. It was revealed that cases of physical and emotional abuse on the rural female learners by their teachers are common as some teachers tend to inflict corporal punishment and label learners as worthless in front of their colleagues. The study also discovered that some learners would come to school with injuries which testifies to them being physically abused within their families. Findings of the study also showed that a majority of abused female learners have been found to develop aggressive behaviours and other negative risk-taking behaviours as a result of the negative modelling their minds have been exposed to. Mental health problems such as emotional insecurities, worthlessness and unexplainable anger towards their peers and teachers were also experienced by rural female learners who have been victims of child abuse. The study also discovered that some victims struggled to cope with learning as a result of disturbed memory and cognitive functioning. The study suggested that educating children about child abuse will empower them to stand for their rights in the wake of victimisation. It was also suggested that school-based prevention must include child abuse at the core of their agenda as this may help create a school culture which has a strong message against all forms of abuse not only against female learners, but all the learners at the school. The study recommended that schools should have regular sessions where senior teachers including the head, speak about various forms of child abuse to learners so as to conscientize all learners in the school about this phenomenon. The study also recommends community leaders to be encouraged by the government to effect stiffer penalties for those adults who abuse children within their localities. The government is also recommended to design schemes that will help to rehabilitate pupils who have been negatively affected by child abuse in all its forms.
- Date
- 2022
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- Child Abuse
- Rural Female learners
- Supervisor
- Dr. Chidarikire, M.
