CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

A UNICEF report published in 2010 states that 89% of children aged 2-14 experienced violent discipline (physical punishment and/or psychological aggression) in 2005-2006. Seventy-eight per cent experienced physical punishment, while a much smaller percentage (25%) of mothers and caregivers thought that physical punishment was necessary in childrearing, and non-violent discipline was also widely used: experienced by 90% of children. A third of children experienced severe physical punishment (being hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or being hit over and over with an implement) and 83% experienced psychological aggression (being shouted at, yelled at, screamed at or insulted). Boys were slightly more likely than girls to experience violent discipline: 90% compared to 88%. Children aged 5-9 were more likely to experience violent discipline than those of other ages: 91% of children aged 5-9 compared to 85% of children aged 2-4 and 90% of children aged 10-14. Children living in larger households were more likely to experience violent discipline: 90% of children in households of 6 or more people compared to 83% of children in households of 2-3 people. The statistics also suggest that children with more siblings are more likely to experience violent discipline in most countries involved in the study (p. 72). No significant differences in children’s experience of violent discipline were found according to level of education of adults in the household or engagement in child labour. 

(UNICEF, 2010, Child Disciplinary Practices at Home: Evidence from a Range of Low- and Middle-Income Countries, NY: UNICEF)

According to statistics from UNICEF on violence in the family, in 2005-2006 children with disabilities were more likely to experience severe physical punishment: 36% of disabled children aged 2-9 were hit or slapped on the face, head or ears or hit over and over as hard as possible with an implement, compared with 28% of non-disabled children.

(UNICEF, 2009, Progress for Children: A report card on child protection, NY: UNICEF)