Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects, beyond the immediate health implications. One area of concern is the increase in violence against children during lockdowns, as highlighted in the research article titled "National COVID-19 lockdown and trends in help-seeking for violence against children in Zimbabwe: an interrupted time-series analysis." This study provides insights that can guide practitioners in improving their support for children during such crises.
Research Findings
The study utilized an interrupted time series design to analyze calls to Childline Zimbabwe's national child helpline from 2017 to 2021. The findings revealed a decrease in violence-related calls immediately following the lockdown, with a 10.3% estimated increase in calls that would have occurred without the lockdown. Violence was more frequently reported within households, and there was a noticeable drop in reports from children and formal child protection actors.
Implications for Practitioners
These findings suggest several actionable steps for practitioners:
- Enhance Remote Reporting Mechanisms: Given the reduction in help-seeking during lockdowns, it's crucial to strengthen remote reporting channels. Practitioners can advocate for and support the development of accessible and well-distributed remote services.
- Community-Based Support: Establishing non-traditional help-seeking sites within communities can provide additional avenues for children to report violence, especially when traditional services are disrupted.
- Targeted Interventions: Campaigns should focus on encouraging adult female family members to report suspected violence, as they are often in a position to observe and act on such cases within households.
- Continued In-Person Support: For known cases of violence, limited in-person home visitation should continue, ensuring that children have access to necessary support.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides valuable insights, it also highlights the need for further research. Practitioners should consider engaging in or supporting research efforts that explore the long-term effects of lockdowns on violence against children and the effectiveness of different intervention strategies.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 lockdown in Zimbabwe has shown that while lockdowns may not reduce the prevalence of violence, they significantly impact help-seeking behaviors. Practitioners must be proactive in ensuring that children have access to both remote and in-person support services during such times. By implementing the study's recommendations, practitioners can better support children and improve outcomes in the face of future crises.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: National COVID-19 lockdown and trends in help-seeking for violence against children in Zimbabwe: an interrupted time-series analysis.
