National action plan to be implemented to prevent violence against children

There are two distinct types of violence experienced by children - child maltreatment by parents and caregivers in children aged 0-14, and violence occurring in community settings among adolescents aged 15-18 years. These different types of violence can be prevented by addressing the underlying causes and risk factors specific to each type.

Violence involving children in community settings can be prevented through:pre-school enrichment programmes to give young children an ducational head start; life skills training;assisting high-risk
dolescents to complete schooling;reducing alcohol availability through the enactment and enforcement of liquor licensing laws, taxation and pricing;restricting access to firearms.

Improving the efficiency of pre-hospital and emergency medical care will reduce the risk of death, the time for recovery and the level of long-term impairment due to violence.

All violence against children and especially child maltreatment occurring in the first decade of life is both a problem in itself and a major risk factor for other forms of violence and health problems through a person's life.

Every child has the right to protection from all forms of violence

Violence against children is a phenomenon that exists in every country, community, ethnic or religious group, irrespective of the social status of the child or the family.

Children become victims to different forms of violence and abuse: physical, psychological, sexual, bullying, online, neglect, trafficking, sexual and labor exploitation, or arranged child marriages.

Violence impacts the physical and mental development of children, reducing their learning skills, their ability for verbal interaction or for joining peer groups.

Violence may hinder their development and prevent them from becoming fully functional adults and good parents. In its extreme forms, violence can even cause death.

A large portion of the incidents, however, remain hidden from view as public’s attitudes still tolerate moderate forms of corporal punishment of children – almost

Many parents accept the use of ‘violence within reasonable bounds’ as a disciplining method .

There is lack of trust in the testimony of children, lack of specialized services for children victims of violence, the judicial procedures of investigation and court hearing are still not adapted for children.

Violence can be prevented and reduced. Strategies that have proven their effectiveness are: enforcing the law; changing social norms and values; creating a safe environment; supporting the parents and caregivers

Develop a national, child-centered, integrated, multidisciplinary and time-bound strategy to address violence against children.

Governments must invest in law enforcement, in family- and child-sensitive judicial systems, and in strong, supportive child protection systems and services.

Eliminating violence against children requires change in deep-rooted attitudes and behavior that sees it as acceptable, especially as a form of discipline within the family and in schools and institutions.

Families must be supported so that they are able to adequately care for their children.

Build or enhance strong data systems and sound evidence to prevent and address violence against children.

Preventing and ending violence against children requires a global effort on an unprecedented scale – an effort that includes political leaders, ordinary citizens, as well as children and young people.

Monitoring tools and indicators must be developed that cover all children, including boys and girls of every age and background.