The incidence of child abuse in the contemporary society: a fact or farce?

Abstract

The study investigated the incidence of child abuse in the contemporary society. It examined the dimension of the incidence whether it is a fact or a farce. 300 participants, from school of Nursing, Mid-wifery and Medical Laboratory of Bishop Shanahan Hospital Nsukka. 285 females and 15 males freely participated. Age range was (20-26) years with a mean age of 23 years. An instrument called Incidence of child Abuse Inventory (ICAI) developed and validated by the researcher was used. The scale has three dimensions, physical, mental and moral dimensions. Results showed that there was significant influence of physical dimension on child abuse. F(1,293)= 207.73 P<.001, mental dimension was significant. F (1,293)= 55.45 P<.001 moral dimension was significant 7(1,293) = 209.94. P<.001. In the interaction effect physical x mental dimension was significant = F (1,293) = 21.41 P<.002. Physical x moral dimension was significant = F (1,293) = 14.52 P<.002. Physical x mental x moral dimension was significant F (2,293) = 10.61 P<.04. The findings affirm that the incidence of child abuse is a fact and not a farce and many factors are sustaining it. It recommended that adult human beings should eschew all forms of behaviour that militate against the child‘s well being and survival.