EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY POLICING IN MITIGATING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of community policing in mitigating gender based violence (GBV) among primary school pupils at Patandi Primary School in Meru District, Tanzania. Specifically, the study was guided by three objectives: (i) to assess the effectiveness of community policing in increasing the reporting of GBV cases affecting pupils; (ii) to explore the effectiveness of community policing in raising awareness and shaping attitudes of pupils, teachers, and parents toward GBV; and (iii) to evaluate how community policing supports victims of GBV among pupils at Patandi Primary School. Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and anchored in the interpretivist research philosophy, the study adopted a qualitative case study design to explore the experiences and perceptions of school and community stakeholders in GBV prevention and response. Data were collected from 21 purposively selected participants, including six teachers, six parents, five community policing officers, and four local leaders, through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2021) six-phase approach, was used to identify patterns, meanings, and relationships within the data. The findings revealed that community policing has enhanced collaboration between schools, parents, and law enforcement agencies, thereby improving the early identification and reporting of GBV cases. However, reporting remained largely informal and constrained by fear, stigma, and cultural silence. Awareness campaigns led by community policing officers and teachers were found to gradually transform community attitudes toward GBV, yet limited funding, insufficient training, and weak institutional structures hindered the sustainability of these initiatives. Furthermore, while some emerging support structures such as school meetings and police visits provided basic psychosocial assistance, the overall system for survivor support remained inadequate and fragmented. The study concludes that community policing serves as an essential mechanism for strengthening GBV prevention and response within the school environment. Nonetheless, its long-term success depends on improved institutional coordination, resource allocation, and integration of GBV prevention programs into school policies and curricula. The study contributes to academic and practical understanding by demonstrating that locally adapted, school-based community policing initiatives can play a crucial role in promoting safety, gender equality, and accountability in Tanzanian primary schools.