Child Abuse and Neglect: Counseling and Healing Practices with People of African Ancestry

Abstract

Communities worldwide condemn child abuse and agree that any form of harm should be mitigated by culturally sensitive methods. In African settings such methods are underrepresented in the literature. This article sought to identify and highlight the healing practices that counselors should consider when dealing with abused children of African descent. It further, proposes prevention that should be prioritized since most African communities are living in precarious circumstances which could expose children to further abuse. The article recommends that counselors in African settings need to adopt holistic approaches such as involving parents, community and other relevant institution when dealing with survivors of abuse, rather than to work in isolation. In addition, the legislation that protects children and the traditional support system needs to be strengthened and aligned to international conventions as inconsistencies could undermine their effectiveness and hamper the implementation of anti-child abuse policies.

Empowerment and Accountability and Multi‐layered Contexts of Influences: Parenting and the Avoidance of Harm in Harare, Zimbabwe

“…From a community psychology perspective, prevention programs should be prioritised in the African context to prevent unnecessary psychosocial struggles later in life (Sanders, ). The programs should be created collaboratively with parents, toward holistic models that take advantage of cultural assets (Chireshe et al., ; Ogbu, ; Parra‐Cardona et al., ; Phasha et al., ).…”

“…One such common myth is the idea that leaving infants alone to cry helps them to become strong and induces a kind of self‐care at a young age. These myths have a deep hold, and a strong cultural resilience, which may require nuanced methods beyond the scientific to dispel (Biko, ; Ogbu, ; Phasha et al, ). There also exists a myth in Zimbabwe that detachment, as well as violent discipline strategies, are effective, which causes intergenerational harm (Baumrind, Larzelere, & Cowan, ; Gershoff & Grogan‐Kaylor, ; Lachman et al, ).…”