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Table 1 Definitions of Outcomes, Covariates and Reasons for not Seeking Help

From: Disclosure, reporting and help seeking among child survivors of violence: a cross-country analysis

Outcomes

Informal disclosure

Have you ever told anyone about these experiences [of violence]?

Responses: e.g. family, relatives, partners, friends, neighbours.

Knowledge of where to seek formal help

Do you know a hospital or clinic, police station, social worker, teacher child protection network, NGO or FBO to go to for help?

Responses: [1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Formal disclosure or help seeking

Have you ever told anyone about these experiences [of violence]?

Responses: e.g. hospital/clinic, police station, helpline, social welfare or legal office.

Did you try to seek professional help for any of these incidents [of violence]?

Responses: [1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Receipt of formal help

Were you successful in receiving any professional help for any of theseincidents [of violence]?

Responses: [1 = Yes; 0 =No]

Covariates

Age

Years (numerical)

Educational status

Current school enrolment [1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Parental absence

Biological mother deceased or not living at home [1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Biological father deceased or not living at home [1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Household composition

Number of children under age 18 years in household

Number of adult females aged 18 and over in household

Number of adult males aged 18 and over in household

Female-headed household

[1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Household wealth quintiles

Wealth quintiles are from indices created through factor analysis of household assets and dwelling characteristics, similar to standard methodology from the Demographic and Health Surveys for the analysis sample.

Urban residence

[1 = Urban; 0 = Rural]

Camp

Haiti only; Internally displaced person living in caps/tent settlements resulting from the 2010 earthquake

[1 = Yes; 0 = No]

Zanzibar

Tanzania only; [1 = Zanzibar; 0 = Mainland]

Reasons for not seeking help

Lack of awareness

1) Did not know where to go

Lack of access

1) Too far to services

Afraid of repercussions

1) Afraid of causing more violence or getting into trouble; 2) Did not want perpetrator to get into trouble; 3) Was or felt threatened/threatened by perpetrator

Shame and stigma

1) Afraid of being mocked; 2) Embarrassed for self or family; 3) Felt ashamed

Self-blame

1) Felt it was my fault

Financial constraints

1) Could not afford services; 2) Could not afford transport

Lack of social support

1) Afraid of being abandoned; 2) Dependent on perpetrator; 3) No one to help me

Apathy

1) Did not think it was a problem

Perceived helplessness

1) Felt it was useless

Did not need or want services

1) Did not need or want services

Other

1) Other reasons for not seeking help

  1. Abbreviations: FBO faith-based organization; NGO non-governmental organization;
  2. Notes: aIndicators comes from a nationally representative sample of children aged 13–17 years from Violence Against Children Surveys. Male and female respondents are asked identical questions
  3. bSpecific questions for outcomes, by violence type and country, are available in Appendix C-D
  4. cQuestions on reasons for not seeking help were not asked in Tanzania
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BMC Public Health

ISSN: 1471-2458

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