WE ARE EVERY CHILD. Global status report on preventing violence against children.
W A e
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Ending Violence Against Children is a Priority An analysis of nationally representative survey data on the prevalence of violence against children in 96 countries estimates that 1 billion children globally – over half of all children aged 2–17 years – have experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence in the past year (2). Despite its high prevalence, violence against children is often hidden, unseen or underreported. Its hidden nature is well documented (3) – for example, a meta-analysis of global data finds self-reported child sexual abuse 30 times higher and physical abuse 75 times higher than official reports would suggest (4, 5). Girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence. For example,the lifetime prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is 18% for girls, compared to 8% for boys (4). Perpetrators of sexual violence against girls arepred ominantly males. Girls are also more likely to experience intimate partner violence (sexual and/or physical); rape by acquaintances or strangers; child or early/forced marriage; trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and child labour, and genital mutilation/cutting. Such violence occurs in many settings, including those where girls should be safe and nurtured — at home; travelling to, from and within school; in their communities; and in situations of humanitarian emergency, displacement, or post-conflict settings. Boys are more likely to be both victims and perpetrators of homicide, which commonly involves weapons such as firearms and knives (7).
Globally, nearly one in three adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 (84 million) have been the victims of emotional, physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by their husbands or partners (6).
Figure 2:
Type of violence by age group affected.
Child maltreatment
Bullying
Bullying Youth violence
Intimate partner violence
Sexual violence
Emotional or psychological violence and witnessing violence
-5
5 - 100
11 - 17
18
Defining violence against children This package defines children as all persons aged under 18 years, and therefore defines violence against children as violence against all persons aged under 18 years. According to WHO, violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation”. (9). Violence thus includes more than acts leading to physical harm. Its consequences are far wider than deaths and injuries, and can include communicable and noncommunicable disease, psychological harm, risky behaviours, educational and occupational underachievement and involvement in crime. This package defines children as all persons aged under 18 years, and therefore defines violence against children as violence against all persons aged under 18 years. According to WHO, violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation”. (9). Violence thus includes more than acts leading to physical harm. Its consequences are far wider than deaths and injuries, and can include communicable and noncommunicable disease, psychological harm, risky behaviours, educational and occupational underachievement and involvement in crime. This package defines children as all persons aged under 18 years, and therefore defines violence against children as violence against all persons aged under 18 years. According to WHO, violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation”.
love is a basic human right.