Children’s views on the conceptualisation of gender-based violence in Spain

Abstract

This article addresses the issue of gender-based violence – specifically male violence against women – through the perspective of children, highlighting the need for their involvement in the prevention and detection of such violence. The study explores children’s views on the conceptualisation of gender-based violence and feminist arguments, and identifies groups of children with similar positions – either recognising or denying gender-based violence – while examining associations with personal and school-related variables. A total of 1170 children (aged 9–16) in Catalonia (Spain) provided free-text responses to a questionnaire. These were analysed in two ways: (a) a content analysis and (b) a multiple correspondence analysis. The results show that children who recognise the existence of gender-based violence have different profiles from those who deny it: lower recognition of the problem was found among secondary school students, children in urban settings, boys and those in schools classified as low complexity. We conclude by emphasising the need for a more preventive socio-educational approach, recognising gender-based violence and underscoring the strategic role of the schools in tackling this social problem.