Child abuse is treating a child in a way that is not good.

Examples of forms of child abuse include:

• Child labour

• Sexual abuse

• Physical abuse, for example, beating

• Emotional torture, for example, neglecting or harassing them

• Denial of basic needs like food, shelter and clothing.

Ways of protecting children from abuse

The following are some of the ways of preventing child abuse:

• Creating awareness on child abuse through organising campaigns.
• Educating children on child abuse and encouraging them to report such cases to the police.

• Educating parents on how to identify tendencies of child abuse and the importance of avoiding child abuse.
• Offering guiding and counselling to both affected parents and children.
• Prosecuting parents or guardians who go against the laws on child rights so as to act as an example to others.
• Mostly, child abuse comes about as a result of poverty. The government should put in place programs aimed at eradicating poverty in our country.

A photograph of some protestors trying to create awareness of child abuse in Meru, in 2010.