Child Abuse and Violence

More than 370 million girls and women alive today – or 1 in 8 – experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, according to new UNICEF estimates

370 million girls and women (close to US population) alive today or 1 in 8 experienced rape, abuse or sexual assault before the age of 18. That means we all know someone that has been abused. Isn't it disturbing to know? The article also stated some important data points:

• Most childhood sexual violence occurs during adolescence, with a significant spike between ages 14 and 17.
• An estimated 240 to 310 million boys and men – or around 1 in 11 – have experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood. This estimate rises to between 410 and 530 million when non-contact forms are included.

Who are these perpetrators?

Abuse and Violence against children includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Abuse/ violence happens around us and in the places that we exist. It can happen in any setting including home, schools, tuitions, parks, buses, cabs, community, and over the Internet. Perpetrators can be family members, teachers, neighbours, strangers and other children too.

Who is more at risk of child abuse and violence?

Some children are at higher risk of experiencing abuse/ violence-

• Children from socially economic backgrounds
• Children who are very young
• A child with disability

How can it affect the children and their future?

Abuse/ violence of any form, inflicts lot of trauma and mental health issues in children. There is a high chance that if it is not addressed early, is is carried into adulthood. They may face challenges in forming healthy relationships, suffer from depression, anxiety, find it difficult to trust and may isolate themselves. Not only that but they are more likely to suffer repeated abuse, according to a study.

How can we fight this?

Every child has the right to live in a safe environment, regardless of the social and economic status. Yet abuse/ violence remains a part of life for many children.

Children are our future generation and if we need our children to have a healthy future, we need to give that now to every child around us. It is in our collective hands for sure. With so many programs at various levels already, why are the numbers so high still? It is definitely not that simple to fight it with so many factors involved - many cases are not even reported out of shame, family/ social pressures, or the child being too young and vulnerable and some forms of violence is socially accepted in certain communities.

Measures to fight Child Abuse and Violence

Protecting children from abuse/ violence and providing safe spaces for them involves a multi-level approach that includes creating awareness among the children in schools, strong policies, and community involvement.

Education and Awareness

• Teach children about their rights, personal safety, and how to recognise and report abuse.
• Provide training for parents, teachers, and caregivers on recognising signs of abuse and how to respond appropriately.

Creating Safe Spaces

• Ensuring that physical spaces where children spend time are safe and secure. This includes schools, playgrounds, and community centers.
• Building trust among the children to communicate without fear or doubt.
• Provide adequate supervision in all settings where children are present.

Reporting and Response

• Establish clear and accessible reporting mechanisms for children to report abuse.
• Ensure that all reports of abuse are taken seriously and responded to immediately.

Counselling services

• Provide counselling and support services for children who have experienced abuse.

Strong Policies and Procedures

• Develop and enforce strict policies and procedures on child protection in schools, community centers, and other places where children spend time.
• Conduct thorough background checks on all adults who work with children.

Technology and Online Safety

• Educating children about online safety, including the risks of sharing personal information and interacting with strangers online.