Peer-reviewed article
Community Attitude on INSPIRE Strategies for Mitigating Violence Against Children. A Case of Mbeya City Council
Fausta Senga, Rehema Magesa, Maseke Richard Mgabo ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined community attitudes toward the INSPIRE strategies for preventing violence against children in Mbeya City, Tanzania. Researchers surveyed 100 community members and interviewed 9 key informants about seven evidence-based strategies: law enforcement, social norms, safe environments, parental support, economic strengthening, services, and education. The community showed positive attitudes toward these strategies but moderate levels of actual practice, with barriers including fear of blame and concerns about reporting cases to authorities.
Key points
- Community members held positive attitudes toward INSPIRE strategies for violence prevention
- Actual practices were moderate despite positive attitudes
- Fear of being blamed for consequences, particularly when cases reach police or courts, discouraged witness involvement and reporting
- Community awareness levels were moderate and influenced their attitudes
- The study recommends increased community awareness and capacity building to improve practices
Limitations
The study is descriptive and observational; it does not evaluate the actual effectiveness of INSPIRE interventions on reducing violence against children, only community attitudes toward them. The research cannot establish causal relationships between attitudes and violence prevention outcomes.
Abstract
Violence against children (VAC) is a serious issue in Tanzania and globally at large. Factors for its occurrence are known and community participation is highly recommended and needed in VAC prevention. Violence against children can be prevented if the global community acts now, acts wisely and acts together. Implementation and enforcement of laws, norms and values, safe environments, parent and caregiver support, income and economic strengthening, response and support services, and education and life skills (INSPIRE) are vital strategies for this success. This study assessed the community’s participation in the implementation of INSPIRE strategies in Mbeya City. A hundred randomly selected community members and 9 key informants were selected based on the stake they had. Community surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary reviews were used in data collection. The Statistical Product for Service Solution (IBM-SPSS) version 20 was used to analyze quantitative data through descriptive and inferential statistics (factor analysis). Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study reveals that; community members had positive attitudes on INSPIRE strategies with moderate practices. However, interference from the witnesses, rate of reporting and exposing perpetrators were reported as resulting from fear of being blamed for the consequences especially when VAC cases reach at police or the courts of law. The study concluded that the community’s positive attitude toward INSPIRE strategies is influenced by a moderate level of awareness. The study recommends that; the community’s awareness and capacity building should continue to enhance positive attitudes and improve practices to stop VAC.