'When will I be free': Lessons from COVID-19 for Child Protection in South Africa.
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
COVID-19
/ prevention & control
Child
Child Protective Services
Child Welfare
/ economics
Child, Foster
Disease Transmission, Infectious
/ prevention & control
Family
Female
Government Regulation
Health Policy
Health Resources
Healthcare Disparities
/ economics
Humans
Male
Pandemics
/ prevention & control
Schools
Social Isolation
Socioeconomic Factors
South Africa
Child protection
Covid-19
Lockdown
Pandemic
Residential care
South Africa
Structural inequalities
Journal
Child abuse & neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Titre abrégé: Child Abuse Negl
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7801702
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
12 2020
12 2020
Historique:
received:
27
07
2020
revised:
31
08
2020
accepted:
01
09
2020
pubmed:
20
10
2020
medline:
12
1
2021
entrez:
19
10
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
COVID-19 has highlighted and amplified structural inequalities; drawing attention to issues of racism, poverty, xenophobia as well as arguably ineffective government policies and procedures. In South Africa, the pandemic and the resultant national lockdown have highlighted the shortcomings in the protection and care of children. Children in alternative care are particularly at risk as a result of disrupted and uncoordinated service delivery. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impact of the pandemic and the resulting social isolation on the wellbeing and protection of children living in a residential care facility. We used qualitative, participatory approaches - specifically draw-and-write methods - to engage with 32 children (average age = 13.5 years) living in a residential care facility in Gauteng. Children in care demonstrated an awareness of the socio-economic difficulties facing communities in South Africa, and shared deep concerns about the safety, well-being and welfare of parents and siblings. Although they expressed frustration at the lack of contact with family members, they acknowledged the resources they had access to in a residential care facility, which enabled them to cope and which ensured their safety. We focus our discussion on the necessity of a systemic response to child welfare, including a coordinated approach by policy makers, government departments and child welfare systems to address the structural factors at the root of inequality and inadequate, unacceptable care. This response is essential not only during COVID-19 but also in pre- and post-pandemic context.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
COVID-19 has highlighted and amplified structural inequalities; drawing attention to issues of racism, poverty, xenophobia as well as arguably ineffective government policies and procedures. In South Africa, the pandemic and the resultant national lockdown have highlighted the shortcomings in the protection and care of children. Children in alternative care are particularly at risk as a result of disrupted and uncoordinated service delivery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences and impact of the pandemic and the resulting social isolation on the wellbeing and protection of children living in a residential care facility.
METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS
We used qualitative, participatory approaches - specifically draw-and-write methods - to engage with 32 children (average age = 13.5 years) living in a residential care facility in Gauteng.
FINDINGS
Children in care demonstrated an awareness of the socio-economic difficulties facing communities in South Africa, and shared deep concerns about the safety, well-being and welfare of parents and siblings. Although they expressed frustration at the lack of contact with family members, they acknowledged the resources they had access to in a residential care facility, which enabled them to cope and which ensured their safety.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
We focus our discussion on the necessity of a systemic response to child welfare, including a coordinated approach by policy makers, government departments and child welfare systems to address the structural factors at the root of inequality and inadequate, unacceptable care. This response is essential not only during COVID-19 but also in pre- and post-pandemic context.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33071025
pii: S0145-2134(20)30370-7
doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104715
pmc: PMC7473251
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
104715Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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