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Epidemiology of violence against young children in Jamaica
Maureen Samms-Vaughan1, Charlene Coore-Desai1, Jody-Ann Reece1
1Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
Insights
Violence against young children is prevalent in Jamaica, with nearly all 4-5 year olds experiencing physical or emotional harm. This study highlights the urgent need for interventions to protect children from violence and its lasting effects.
Area of Science:
- Child development
- Public health
- Criminology
Background:
- Violence against young children has severe short- and long-term consequences.
- Research on the prevalence of violence against very young children (under 2 years) is limited.
- Understanding violence exposure in early childhood is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of violence against young children in Jamaica.
- To examine the age-related trends in violence exposure.
- To identify different forms of violence experienced by children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the JA KIDS birth cohort study in Jamaica.
- Followed parents and children from pregnancy through 4-5 years of age.
- Collected data on violence experienced by mothers during pregnancy and by children at multiple age points.
Main Results:
- 6.1% of mothers experienced violence during pregnancy.
- By 9-12 months, 43.1% of children were shouted at and 30% slapped.
- By 4-5 years, approximately 90% of children experienced physical and emotional violence, with corporal punishment being most common.
- Children also witnessed interparental and community violence.
Conclusions:
- Violence against young children in Jamaica is widespread and increases with age.
- Interventions are needed to reduce children's victimization and exposure to violence.
- Promoting non-violent discipline strategies is essential for child well-being.
Abstract:
Violence against young children is known to have detrimental short and long-term effects. Yet, few studies investigate the prevalence of violence against young children, particularly very young children under the age of 2 years. This paper reports on the prevalence of violence against young children in Jamaica using data obtained from the JA KIDS birth cohort study that undertook pre-enrolment of pregnant mothers in the antenatal period and followed full or sub-samples of parents and children at 9-12 months, 18-22 months and 4-5 years. Violence in pregnancy was experienced by 6.1% of pre-enrolled mothers. As many as 43.1% of Jamaican children ages 9-12 months were shouted at, and almost 30% were slapped. Physical and emotional violence increased with age, and by 4-5 years, approximately 90% of children experienced physical and emotional violence. Non-violent methods, primarily explaining and reasoning with children, were also reported by more than 95% of parents at 4-5 years. Corporal punishment was the most common form of violence experienced, but young children also witnessed hurtful physical and emotional violence between mothers and their partners and lived in communities in which there were violent events. Strategies to reduce young children's experiences as victims and witnesses of violence are discussed.
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