The Contribution of Family Background to Child Abuse: A Case of Nakuru Children's Remand Home

Abstract

Child abuse has been recognized as a major problem by hospitals, schools, mental health centres, child welfare organizations, family services, and law enforcement agencies in Kenya. Abused children run away from their homes and majority end up in remand homes. Cases of child abuse within families have continued to increase in spite of campaigns against child abuse by both the government and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The family ought to protect the child from abuse. However, due to increasing cases of child abuse the role of the family of abused children is not good enough. This fact necessitated this study which seeks to establish the contribution of the family background on child abuse. The study was conducted at Nakuru children’s remand home. The location was selected because it is cosmopolitan. The location had a population of 83 children. The study adopted a descriptive survey. Proportionate sampling was done to ensure gender balance. Questionnaires developed by the researcher and reviewed by research experts were administered by the researcher. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using cronbach’s alpha reliability and a reliability of .862 was obtained this was within the acceptable threshold of 0.70. The Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The statistical package for social sciences version 11.5 was used for the analysis. The results revealed that, the parents’ or guardians’ level of education was a major determinant of child abuse. The parents with little or no education abused their children more. Furthermore child abuse was also dependent on the family a child comes from. This implied that family counsellors, teachers and other bodies handling child abuse must address the family backgrotmd of the abused children if they hope to deal with the problem successfully. The study also found out that, parents’ or guardians’ relationship with the child was a major determinant of child abuse. The children who have poor relations with their parents have higher likelihood of abuse. It is hoped that the ministry of home affairs will utilize the findings of this study in its attempt to curb child abuse. The attorney generals’ chambers may also use the findings to develop legislation aimed at protecting children from abuse. Child welfare organizations and childcare NGOs may also utilize the findings to curb child abuse.