Study finds child abuse widespread and hidden in Morocco

09/11/2006

A UNICEF/Justice Ministry study finds that violence against children permeates all parts of Moroccan society. Morocco is tackling the problems through creating national programmes and child protections units.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 09/11/06

[File] The study finds violence even exists in schools.

Maie Ayoub Von Khol, UNICEF's representative in Morocco, says a study by her group produced in partnership with the Justice Ministry finds that violence appears to be an educational method and a socially acceptable means of control for lower- and middle-class children and household servants in Morocco. Violence is perpetrated by the family, police, schools, people on the street, employers, and charitable institutions. The data show that the youngest children appear to be the main victims.

Acts of violence are most often committed by men, with women responsible for 10% to 15% of cases. Women commit physical violence and child trafficking, but rarely sexual violence.

Domestic violence was found to generally only be reported when physical abuse is evident in the case of an abandoned child. Sexual and physical abuse committed within the home and acts committed by employers, teachers and officials are rarely reported. The report found that children rebel against violence only when it becomes torture, but rarely report it.

Moreover, children who are victims of sexual assault, particularly incest, tend to keep quiet because they feel ashamed and disgraced. Children themselves consider slaps and thrashings "normal" and "deserved". Child abuse is rarely punished.

"Victims do not know where to turn to have these practices stopped. Badly-treated children do not know, in fact, who to talk to or how to do it," explained Von Khol.

Children generally do not know about the toll-free numbers, counselling and guidance centres and medical treatment available to them.

However, the study shows Moroccan children aspire to the benefits of a protective environment.

A 2006-2015 national plan has been launched by Yasmina Baddou, secretary of state for family, children and the handicapped. "A Morocco Worthy of its Children" aims to protect children from all forms of abuse and promote their rights to health and education. Baddou stressed that her department is keen to offer children an ideal and safe environment.

Several measures have already been implemented to protect those most exposed to violence: street children, domestic servants and children in the workplace.

Child protection units are being created in Casablanca, Tangiers, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir, and Laayoune. The units will co-ordinate the work of all local agencies, monitor child abuse and offer counselling, legal and psychological guidance as well as support and promotion of children's rights. The first unit will become operational in Casablanca over the next several weeks.

Other national programmes to protect children have been started, such as "Inqad", which aims to end the exploitation of children in domestic service. The finishing touches are being put to a national awareness-raising campaign on the issue.

The national "Indimage" programme is looking at street children. It hopes to find a nationwide approach to fighting the phenomenon through prevention and treatment.

"Violence towards children is a real challenge for everyone involved. We shall be able to realise our hopes thanks to the work being started up throughout Morocco," says Baddou.