Abstract:
Violence against children occurs every day, everywhere: the slaps of an
upset parent to control an ‘unruly’ child, the sexual victimization of a teenager
by a peer or a neighbour, the bullying of one child by another in the
schoolyard, the emotional degradation of a child bride by her spouse. Too
many children worldwide are affected by such violence, yet it is rarely acknowledged,
in part because it is so commonplace. The repercussions are
not inconsequential, with ripple effects throughout society as well as future
generations.
Everyday violence may be pervasive, but it is not inevitable. The first step
in curbing all forms of violence against children is bringing the issue to
light – in all its complexity. Despite the difficulties in measuring violence
against children, and considerable gaps, an unprecedented volume of data
on the subject has become available over the last two decades that is providing
the evidence countries need to develop effective policies, legislation
and programmes to address violence. Solid data and research are essential
in bringing the issue out of the shadows. They are also important in
revealing hidden attitudes and social norms that may perpetuate violence
against children and factors that may place certain children at higher risk.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees that children everywhere
should live free from all forms of violence. For this to happen, the
true nature and extent of the problem must be documented. It is to that
end that this report is dedicated.