Progetto Enhancing Child Safety: A Collaborative Response Plan for Delivering Timely Referral Services to Participants in the Tanzania Violence Against Children Survey (VACS)

Enhancing Child Safety: A Collaborative Response Plan for Delivering Timely Referral Services to Participants in the Tanzania Violence Against Children Survey (VACS)

Various analyses show that Violence Against Children (VAC) in Tanzania appear in different contexts, involving various actors influenced by negative cultural beliefs, gender norms, and socioeconomic inequalities. The majority of VAC victims are children, and their numbers have been increasing with an upsurge rate. However, there is limited exploration into the underlying factors contributing to the significant challenges faced by this vulnerable group. Given this context, numerous efforts have been made to investigate the situation nationwide

Context of intervention:

Previous surveys reveal alarming rates of violence in Tanzania, with nearly 3 in 10 females and 1 in 7 males experiencing sexual violence before turning 18. About three-quarters of both genders reported childhood physical violence, with nearly 6 in 10 victimized at the hands of relatives and 1 in 2 at the teachers. Various forms of violence heighten the risks of injury, HIV, mental health issues, and reproductive health problems for survivors. Sexual violence is a major contributor to the HIV epidemic, creating disparities in vulnerability, especially for adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania.

The purpose of this intervention is to support Local Government Authorities (LGAs), specifically social welfare officers, in delivering comprehensive referral services to participants facing past or present violence. We offer Capacity building and ongoing mentorship to social welfare officers in the chosen LGAs to enhance their ability to handle and ensure the successful completion of all reported referrals. The focus is to ensure the provision of direct service referrals for those needing assistance and individuals requiring HIV prevention and treatment services. Given the potential emotional distress during interviews, our consortium prioritizes immediate assistance, psychosocial support and/or counselling. We plan to develop a referral provision plan, aligning with CDC/THPS and UNICEF guidance for VAC survey response plan.

The project involves 25 regions of Tanzania Mainland and 5 Regions of Zanzibar.

Types of activities:

We will conduct a comprehensive mapping of all VAC service providers, gathering essential information. This will ensure accessible information on services addressing diverse issues and experiences faced by young people. Support LGAs, specifically social welfare officers, in delivering comprehensive referral services with capacity building and ongoing mentorship to social welfare officers appointed by the LGAs, develop a referral provision plan establishing criteria for referrals, protocols, and identifying potential dangers to participants. Our focus is on assisting social welfare officers in creating channels to connect survey participants with the necessary support, ensuring a proactive and sensitive approach to their well-being. And also Support efficient execution, supportive supervision, and follow-up of referral service delivery throughout the Violence Against Children (VAC) study.