Matilda, you might have heard of, a well-known book, film and musical (the newest one out recently) of Roald Dahl’s. To be honest, I’ve only ever seen the movie.
This story is about a girl called Matilda Wormwood. However, Matilda isn’t treated like a typical child; not because she’s done anything wrong but because her parents mistreat and neglect her.
She gets made fun of by her brother Michael all the time, her parents don’t treat her with warmth and kindness, and they yell and ignore her. Matilda is frequently left on her own in the house, where she could easily hurt herself. She makes food for herself, dresses herself, and she doesn’t have many toys.
What the Wormwoods do to Matilda is not right. It is called ‘Neglect’, and this is a form of child abuse. Did you know the United Nations Convention on Children’s Rights (Article 19) states that governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them? And in schools, it’s the same, they have something called ‘Safeguarding’ in place to protect you.
So, what exactly is Neglect? The NSPCC defines Neglect as ‘the ongoing failure to meet a child’s basic needs and is actually the most common form of child abuse’.
There are a few types of Neglect, for example;
- Educational neglect- A parent doesn’t ensure their child is given an education.
- Emotional neglect- A child doesn’t get the nurture and stimulation they need. This could be through ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them.
- Medical neglect- A child isn’t given proper health care. This includes dental care and refusing or ignoring medical recommendations.
- Physical neglect- A child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing or shelter, are not met or they aren’t properly supervised or kept safe.
More information can be found here: Neglect is also Child Abuse: Know All About It | NSPCC
Matilda suffers from almost all the above forms of Neglect. Especially emotional neglect as her parents often put her down, make it seem like there’s something wrong with Matilda and that she’s not very clever. For example:
Harry Wormwood: “Listen, you little wiseacre! I’m smart, you’re dumb; I’m big, you’re little; I’m right, you’re wrong, and there’s nothing you can do about it”
Despite all this, Matilda is a smart, kind girl who absolutely adores books – in fact, she walks every day to her local public library just to find something to read. She says reading brings her comfort because the people there are kind, courageous and have kept her company as she’s always alone.
However, when Harry Wormwood finds Matilda reading, he calls it rubbish and even rips up her books. Article 13 of the UNCRC states that a child has the right to freedom of expression; this right includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds. Whether it be in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.
Another form of Neglect Matilda experiences is educational neglect as the Wormwoods forget how old she is and don’t send her to school until she’s 6 years old. Article 28 UNCRC provides that every child has the right to an education and in Wales, the law states that a child must start their compulsory education in September before their fifth birthday.
In addition, it states that “discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity and their rights”. Article 28 UNCRC_summary-1_1.pdf (unicef.org.uk) However, the Headmistress of the school Matilda attends, Ms. Trunchbull isn’t very kind, in fact, she’s aggressive, threatening, and verbally abusive towards children. In Wales, physically hurting a child is illegal meaning children have the same protection from assault as adults. More information can be found on GOV.Wales; Ending physical punishment of children | GOV.WALES
Ms Trunchbull: “My school is a model of discipline! Use the rod, beat the child, that’s my motto. They’re all mistakes, children! Filthy, nasty things. Glad I never was one.”
In the end, Matilda gets her happy ending with a lovely, loving mother Miss Honey, a teacher from the school, who adopts Matilda. This isn’t the case for all children who experience abuse and neglect, but in Wales, there’s help, support, and a listening ear if you or someone you know needs it. So please reach out and talk to someone. This could be the NSPCC, a national society that aims to prevent cruelty towards children. If you’re in Wales, this could be MEIC a helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Giving you information, useful advice, and the support, you may need.
You can even help yourself by understanding your rights. The UN has something called, ‘The ABCDE of Children’s rights’. It can help children learn about the nature of their rights. Its purpose is to show how rights are universal, inherent, inalienable, unconditional, and indivisible.
A- Rights are for ALL children. UNIVERSAL
B- Rights are there at BIRTH. INHERENT
C- Rights CANNOT be taken away. INALIENABLE
D- Rights DO NOT have to be earned UNCONDITIONAL
E- All rights are EQUALLY important. INDIVISIBLE
ABCDE-of-Rights.pdf (unicef.org.uk)
About the Author:
Hi there! I’m a First Year here in Swansea, both the City and the University so it’s a test trying to not get lost. I hope you enjoyed reading and leave a comment if you have any questions or concerns or just if you tend to get lost too, if not, do you have any tips for me. Thank you, Ayan Ibrahim