Cruel treatment and neglect of children in Odessa region: public awareness and attitude

Abstract

The main purpose of the research is to determine the public awareness of the population of Odessa region (Ukraine) about the scale and types of the child abuse as well as to define which disciplinary methods of parental education are considered appropriate by the public. The method used in this study was a telephone survey. Thus, the child abuse has proved to be by far more prevalent than the number of cases officially registered by the Health Care Ministry. The study revealed a lack of public awareness about the problem of child abuse in Odessa region. The cases of sexual abuse have not been revealed adequately. Girls are more likely to suffer from the emotional abuse, while boys are more often the victims of physical violence. The respondents have had insufficient knowledge about the child abuse and have not recognized the regional characteristics of the frequency of violence incidents. The study has found out an unacceptably high level of the use of aggressive physical and emotional methods of impact on children as methods of education. Many respondents experienced ill treatment in their childhood themselves, often it involved several types of violence. Unfortunately only 51% of respondents approve the positive educational methods related to the dialogue and the peaceful solution of the arising problems. The empirical investigation on the child abuse in Ukraine is obviously at the beginning stage. The further study is required to ensure a good understanding of the nature and extent of the problem as well as to find the viable solutions.