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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYounger children appear most at risk. Learners aged 5 to 8 report higher levels of violence, with peaks at age 7 (20,6%) and again at age 13 (19,5%), highlighting particularly vulnerable stages in early schooling and early adolescence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, peer\u2011perpetrated violence is most prominent among 7\u2011year\u2011olds (16,3%), suggesting that aggressive peer interactions tend to emerge early and are concentrated in the first years of formal education. This divergence in age\u2011specific peaks indicates that different dynamics may be at play depending on the source of the violence: while peer\u2011related aggression surfaces earlier, teacher\u2011related or other forms of violence appear to persist into later developmental stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A clear distinction emerges between teacher\u2011 and peer\u2011perpetrated incidents. Verbal abuse is more frequently reported from fellow learners, with 21% identifying peers as the source, compared to 12% who report similar experiences involving teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Age patterns reinforce this trend. The highest incidence of verbal abuse occurs among 7\u2011year\u2011olds, where nearly one\u2011third (30,1%) report exposure, pointing to the early primary school years as a key period of vulnerability to peer aggression. Elevated levels are also evident among pre\u2011teens, suggesting that verbal abuse not only begins early but can persist, and potentially intensify into later developmental stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among learners aged five and older who experienced violence in schools in 2024, reports of verbal violence were almost evenly split by gender, with a slight majority of females affected (51,2%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A closer look, however, reveals clear gender differences across types of violence. Females make up a significant share of those subjected to teacher\u2011perpetrated abuse, accounting for roughly 63% of reported verbal incidents and about 58% of physical violence cases involving teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pattern extends, though less sharply, to peer interactions. In cases of peer\u2011related verbal violence, females represent 56,2% of affected learners, indicating that girls are consistently more likely to report experiences of abuse across both teacher\u2011 and peer\u2011driven contexts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These figures sit within a broader pattern of school\u2011based violence that is both widespread and uneven. Younger learners, particularly around age seven, face heightened vulnerability, while females are disproportionately affected, especially in cases involving teacher\u2011related and verbal abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guided by the call for \u201cWorking Together in Ending Violence Against Children,\u201d the evidence points to a continuum of harm that continues to undermine the safety and purpose of learning spaces. It is a reminder that addressing this persistent reality requires a shared societal commitment, as the experiences of children reflect deeper social tensions unfolding within environments meant to nurture their growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Violence against children remains one of the most pervasive yet often hidden challenges affecting societies today. Despite global policy commitments, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children continues across homes, schools, and communities. In South Africa Child Protection Week, observed from 29 May to 5 June 2026, raises awareness about children\u2019s rights and safety while encouraging read more »<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n