DILI, 28 july 2022 (TATOLI)-The Secondary survey report from the Asia Foundation in Timor-Leste (AFTL) NABILAN program shows the prevalence of valance against children and women in two municipalities Dili and Manufahi is 88% to 90% the highest among surveys conducted.
The survey results were launched by the Asia Foundation in Timor-Leste through the NABILAN program, today at the AFTL office, Fatuhada Dili today.
The results of the survey were collected from two municipalities; Dili and Manufahi aimed at identifying any form of violence such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and childhood trauma that have been experienced by the children in Timor-Leste.
The report shows that the Prevalence of child maltreatment among all women aged 15-49 of a total of 1,426 identified: Any childhood trauma achieved 90%. Any sexual abuse 25%, any physical abuse 66%, and any emotional abuse or neglect 83%.
Prevalence of Child maltreatment among women by age category (15-17 in total 124) identified: Any childhood trauma 25%, Any physical abuse 66%, and any emotional abuse or neglect 82%.
Women with aged (18-49 in total 1,305 identified: Any sexual abuse 19%, any physical abuse 77%, and any emotional abuse or neglect 88%.
Prevalence of Child maltreatment among men by age category (18-49 in total 839) identified: Any childhood trauma at 88%, sexual abuse at 43%, physical abuse at 62%, and any emotional abuse or neglect at 75%.
Prevalence of child maltreatment among categories aged (15-17 in total 124, 18-49 in total 1,305
Aged 15-17 identified: Any childhood trauma at 89%, sexual abuse at 44%, physical abuse at 61%, and any emotional abuse or neglect at 77%.
Aged 18-49 identified: Any childhood trauma 87%, sexual abuse 43%, physical abuse 64%, and any emotional abuse or neglect 74%.
The Asian Foundation deputy Team leader of the NABILAN program, Maria Veronica said the survey identified that the number of violence against children in Timor-Leste had increased, adding that the violence against children has significant consequences on their health as adults and will also have an impact on the well-being of their families: “When a child experiences all forms of violence including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect in childhood and the negative consequences will affect them when growing up,”
“Statistical data shows that 90% of girls experience violence and are likely to commit violence when they grow up. then 80% of boys experience violence and are capable of violence when they grow up,” Veronica told reporters at the launching of the survey report at the AFTL office in Fatu-Hada, today.
At the same time, the Australian Ambassador for children and women, Christine Clarke, expressed concern over the high prevalence of violence against children and women in Timor-Leste.
Clarke said: “All parties must work hard to reduce the number of domestic violence and violence against children in Timor-Leste. It requires the cooperation of all relevant parties, government, NGOs, civil society, local government parents to solve this issue,” said Clarke.
Meanwhile the Secretary of State for Equality Inclusion (SoSEI), Maria do Rosário Fátima Correia said the government through SoSEI had designed a national plan with four themes aimed at reducing the number of violence against children in Timor-Leste.
“The four themes include prevention, accessibility of justice, motorization, and evaluation. To reduce violence against children, SoSEI will also continue to work closely with partners to share information with the public about the impact of violence on children’s lives, prevention of violence against children, and decree-laws that limit violence against children and evaluate all issues,” she said.
So far in the last year, more than one billion children in the world aged 2 to 7 years experienced types of violence consisting of sexual, emotional, physical, and global neglect, while in the pacific region 40% of children 15-17 years old also have experienced violence.
Journalist: José Belarmino de Sa
Editor: Nelia B
