Children and adolescents' perception of violence in family and school settings from eight municipalities in Colombia

Abstract

Objective: The study explores children and adolescents' perceptions, attitudes and behaviors regarding violence in family and school settings. Methodology: A survey about sexuality, family life and the school setting was conducted in 2018 to 16,558 children and adolescents aged between 9 and 19 years, who were attending school and were residents of eight municipalities of the Caribbean and Pacific regions of Colombia. Results: High percentages of family violence and violent behavior in the school setting were found along with a low degree of knowledge about subjects related to gender-based violence. Young boys and male adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years from Bahía Solano and El Carmen de Atrato municipalities were exposed most frequently to physical violence while girls aged between 9 and 11 years from Uribía and Pivijay were exposed mostly to sexual violence. Conclusion: Gender norms and social expectations expose children and adolescents to different types of violence. Other contributing factors are age and place of residence.