The phenomenon of domestic violence against children in north-western Poland

Background
Violence against children is a major social problem. The state’s task is to provide appropriate mechanisms to prevent violence. An analysis of the phenomenon of violence seems a fundamental step to counteract it.

Objectives
The aim of this study was to analyze the phenomenon of domestic violence against children in north-western Poland.

Material and methods
The materials were European Blue Cards concerning cases of violence in the city of Szczecin in the years 2012 and 2013. The analysis included a total of 1299 Blue Cards, from which 58 cards related to violence against children were selected. The selected method was the document analysis method.

Results
Most frequently, persons using violence against children were ascendants, i.e. parents or grandparents (45; 77.59% of cases). In second place (6; 10.34% of cases) were people around the domestic environment, and then collaterals (3; 5.17%), and strangers (2; 3.45%). Most often, the forms of physical violence were pushing and hitting, which was experienced by 57.63% (34) and 54.24% (32) of children, respectively. The most common forms of psychological violence used against children were insults (experienced by 30; 51.72% of children), humiliation (22; 37.93%), criticism (21; 36.21%), and threats (20; 34.48%).

Conclusions
The analysis of Blue Cards shows that children are not victims of violence as often as adults, which may show imperfections of procedures as a tool that should be used to identify domestic violence. Persons who use domestic violence against children are usually ascendants. Adults use various forms of violence against children, mostly shoving, hitting and name-calling.