The Effects Of Domestic Violence On The Behavior And Welfare Of The Children In Kasese, Uganda

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at establishing the effects of domestic violence on the behavior and

welfare of the children in Kasese in Uganda.The problem was the persistentdomestjc

violation of behavior and welfare of the children and therefore, to assess the effects of

domestic violence on the behavior and child welfare in Kasese and find out the way

forward to solve the prevailing violation. The objectives of this study were; to establish

the different forms of domestic violence and child abuses in Kasese, to establish

community attitudes, beliefs and values about domestic violence and child abuse and

exploitation in Kasese, to identify the causes and effects of child domestic violence on

child welfare in Kasese, to establish the prevention strategies for domestic violence and

child abuse and exploitation in Kasese.Domestic violence is a pressing issue and has been

the subject of much debate, activism and academic research. It is commonly argued that

violence between intimate partners remains largely hidden and that children in families

where povcrt~ is the order of the day endure much physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences on the effects of domestic violence on

the behavior and welfare of the children in Kasese, Uganda. Although the children had

been fearful of reporting their abuse and had spent years suffering silently, all had finally

displayed much urgency in reporting the actions of their abusers. In reflecting on their

circumstances, the children refer to the primary factors influencing their parents to

become abusers: unemployment, financial hardships and poverty, alcohol and drugs, and

factors such as immature attitudes, cultural beliefs and jealousy.. Children born in

disorganized families had suffered more abuse and were controlled than their children from organized counterparts. The study makes many policy recommendations but emphasizes the importance of doing substantive work to probe childrens’ experiences of abuse in intimate unions in Kasese district western Uganda.