Violence against children consists of physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect

It takes place in a range of different settings:

• In the home
• At school
• In communities
• In institutions such as orphanages
• In places children work

Violence against children is a global problem but also a hidden problem. Children are often afraid to report violence because of the shame they feel about it or the possible consequences for themselves and others.

There are also a lack of safe and trusted ways to report violence and in many places violence against children is also widely accepted and seen as normal. 

How big is the problem worldwide?

The global United Nations (UN) Study on Violence Against Children, published in October 2006, shows that:

• 53,000 children were murdered in 2002
• Between 20 and 65% of school-aged children reported having been verbally or physically bullied
• 150,000,000 girls and 73,000,000 boys under 18 experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence
• Between 100 and 140,000,000 girls and women in the world have undergone some form of female genital cutting
• 218,000,000 children are involved in child labour, 126,000,000 of those in hazardous work
• 1,800,000 are involved in prostitution and pornography
• 1,200,000 are victims of trafficking

Who is responsible for the violence?

The vast majority of violence is carried out by people who are part of children’s lives - they are usually known to children and trusted by them. They include:

• Parents
• School friends
• Teachers
• Employers
• Boyfriends/girlfriends, spouses and partners

What factors put children at risk of violence?

• The age, sex and gender of children play a big part – for example, young children are at greatest risk of physical violence, adolescents are more at risk of sexual violence, boys are at greater risk of physical violence, and girls face greater risk of sexual violence, neglect and forced prostitution

• Levels of income and education of the perpetrators play an important role, as do patterns of behaviour that come from traditional beliefs and attitudes towards children

• Some groups of children are especially vulnerable to violence - children with disabilities, those from minorities and other marginalised groups, ‘street children’, those in conflict with the law, and refugee and other displaced children

• General trends that increase risk include growing income inequality, globalisation, migration, urbanisation, health threats, in particular the HIV and AIDS pandemic, technological advances and armed conflict, affect how we treat children. The use of drugs and alcohol and growing availability of firearms, in both urban and rural areas around the world, increase the risks and impact of violence

How does violence affect children?

The effects vary but are often extremely damaging. Violence may result in:

• increased risk of social, emotional, and psychological damage
• increased risk of substance abuse and early initiation to sexual behaviour
• mental health and social problems include anxiety and depressive disorders, hallucinations, memory disturbances, as well as aggressive behaviour
• early exposure to violence is associated with later lung, heart and liver disease, sexually transmitted diseases and foetal death during pregnancy, as well as later intimate partner violence and suicide attempts

Plan’s response

Plan’s work focuses on violence of all kinds but especially as it is experienced within the family, in school and in communities.

Plan works with children in over 60 countries around the world, both in developed as well as developing countries, and encounters issues of violence against children in all of its programs. Whether trying to tackle some of the root causes of violence or dealing with the consequences, this issue is a feature of all of our work in some way or another.

Addressing violence against children is key to ensuring that Plan delivers on its vision of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies which respect people’s rights and dignity.

Case studies:

Violence in the family: Hoa's story

Violence at school: Felix's story

Violence in the community: addressing cultures of violence

What is the international community doing?

Most countries of the world have now ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This includes specific articles that commit governments (state parties) to:

Article 19
States parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.

Article 39
States parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.

States must submit reports to a committee that monitors implementation of children’s rights and Plan helps to compile alternative reports that are objective and present another perspective on how governments are performing.

What next?
In 2003 the UN Secretary-General appointed an independent expert to lead a global study on violence against children, looking into its prevalence, nature and causes, and to make recommendations for action. Plan has been actively involved in the process leading up to the UN Study on Violence against Children by, for example, co-organising and participating in several of the regional and national level consultations that have been a major part of the study process, and facilitated children’s participation in these.

This report has now been published and Plan will be actively involved in the follow up to ensure states meet their commitments and to increase our own work on this issue.