Resource 3: The role of school teachers

 Background information / subject knowledge for teacher

School teachers are in a position to identify when children are being abused. They have opportunities to get to know individual children well, and thus to notice changes in a child’s behaviour or performance, which could be linked to abuse. Children may also disclose their circumstances as part of life skills lessons or other parts of the curriculum.

If a teacher suspects abuse, a useful process to follow is:

• Start gathering information as soon as you suspect child abuse.
• Continue to do so consistently, and document all information gathered.
• Treat all this information as confidential.
• Discuss your suspicions and the information that you have gathered with the head teacher (unless she or he is possibly implicated).
• Ensure confidentiality by opening a separate file for the particular pupil. This file must be kept in the strong room or safe.
• The head teacher and the teacher must consult the list of criteria for the identification of different types of abuse to verify the information before making any allegations of child abuse. Include in this process professionals who have experience.
• Remain objective at all times and do not allow personal matters, feelings or preconceptions to cloud your judgement.
• Any information to do with child abuse is confidential and must be handled with great discretion.
• The reporting and investigation of child abuse must be done in such a way that the safety of the pupil is ensured.
• Justice must not be jeopardised, but at the same time the support needed by the pupil and their family must not be neglected.

Other important things to remember when talking to pupils are:

• Do not tell a child who discloses abuse that you do not believe them.
• Affirm the child’s bravery in making the disclosure.
• Tell the child what you are going to do about what you have been told, and why.
• If possible, tell the child what will happen next.
• Refer the child for counselling if necessary.
• Be prepared to give evidence in court if there is a trial.

There are many organisations across Africa dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and domestic abuse, for example the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN). See http://www.anppcan.org/ (Accessed 2008) for more information.

Since 1997, the Nigerian Child Welfare Fund has undertaken a number of activities for the protection of children in Nigeria. You can find out about their work at http://nigerianchildwelfarefund.virtualactivism.net/ if you can access the internet.

Please note: The World Day for Child Abuse is 19 November every year.

Kenya organisations

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Advocates for human rights, especially of women and girl children. P0 Box 46324. 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 3870444 email: info@fida.co.ke

Coalition on Violence Against Women Aims to promote the rights of women. P0 Box 46516. 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 3874357/8

African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN ) Kenya Chapter Improves the welfare of children and enhances opportunities for the development of their full potential by offering services to targeted groups of children and their families. P0 Box 46516. 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 2722835 fax: +254 020 2723104 email: admin@anppcankenya.co.ke website: http://www.anppckenya.co.ke

Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR) Aims to develop a culture that respects human rights, the rule of law, gender sensitivity and accords equal opportunity to all. P0 Box 73637. 00200 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254020 445056/7 email: kaacr@kaacr.com or info@kaacr.com

Your Voices Centre Provides legal and counselling services and also educates key target groups regarding their legal rights and issues. P0 Box 19743-00200 Naibi. Kenya tel: 24090l /0733777559/ 0720407604 email: jmbuguah@yahoo.com

Resources

The Children Act Cap 586 Laws of Kenya Government of Kenya The Act addresses the rights a child is entitled to and the role of the government and parents in protecting these rights. It also sets out the general roles and responsibilities of parents in ensuring the wellbeing of the child. Available from: Department of Children’s Services. Ministry of Home Affairs. P0 Box 46205. 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 228411 email: childk@nbnet.co.ke

National Programme guidelines on orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS Government of Kenya The guidelines are intended to assist in programming for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS and in effectively responding to the effects of the pandemic on such children as well as discouraging harmful practices in Kenya. Available from: Department of Children’s Services. Ministry of Home Affairs. P0 Box 46205. 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 228411 email: childk@nbnet.co.ke and National AIDS Control Council (NACC), Office of the President. P0 Box 01307 Nairobi. Kenya

Guidelines on child rights and child protection for police officers African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect, 2001 A resource for police officers on the Children’s Act 2001, for use in cases concerning children.

The guidelines are also intended to enhance police officers’ understanding of the provisions of the Children Act, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and finally to enhance service delivery to children within the Kenyan Juvenile Justice Systems. Available from: African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), P0 Box 46516, 00100 Nairobi. Kenya tel: +254 020 2722335 fax: +254 020 2723104 email: admin@anppcankenya.co.ke website: http://www.anppckenya.co.ke

The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, 2003 Government of Kenya, 2003 This Bill provides for measures for the prevention, management and control of HIV and AIDS. It also provides for the protection and promotion of public health and for the appropriate treatment, counselling, support and care of persons infected or at risk of HIV and AlDS infection, and for other connected purposes. Available from: Office of the Attorney General. P0 Box 30520. Nairobi. Kenya

Adapted from: Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN) – Memory Work Trainer’s Manual, Appendix 2 Legal Contacts and resources