Violence against children
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© UNICEF/SWZK00283/ O KRIKORIAN |
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A social worker in Armenia uses games to help a boy overcome the effects of violence. |
The use of physical or psychological discipline is the norm in the majority of countries in CEE/CIS.
The use of violence and humiliation when punishing children, be it physical or non-physical, remains legally and socially acceptable in many countries. This is despite the clear statements in the Convention on the Rights of the Child(CRC) and other human rights instruments requiring their banning and elimination. Too often children’s rights and their dignity are breached by the use of violence. The use of physical force causes pain and can lead to injury and psychological damage (lowering self-confidence, feelings of shame, sadness, and anger).
`Children must be protected`
The need for concerted worldwide action to defend human rights and to eliminate violence has long been recognised. The Millennium Declaration states that ‘children must be protected against any acts of violence …’; and the recent UN Study on Violence Against Children calls for an end to adult justification of violence against children whether accepted as ‘tradition’ or disguised as ‘discipline’.
Many children physically punished
Some of the latest research suggests a large proportion of children are punished physically using ‘minor to moderate’ methods, ranging from 21 per cent in Bosnia and Herzegovina to 51 per cent in Serbia and 55 per cent in Tajikistan. 'Minor to moderate' punishment is defined as being hit, slapped or struck with an implement on any part of the body except the head.
'Severe physical punishment', to be hit, slapped or struck with an implement on the head, is extremely high in many CEE/CIS countries, latest research suggests. Children who are being hit or slapped in the face, head or ears or are being beaten with an implement, make up 16 per cent of children in Macedonia and Tajikistan, and 6-8 per cent in Albania.
Prevent violations
Protection of children against violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, trafficking and deprivation of parental care is essential for every aspect of their survival, growth and development. We support programmes to prevent such violations, and to identify and help their victims. But we go further, working with governments, civil society, individuals and the private sector to build a protective environment around every child.
A protective environment shields all children from harm in the same way that good nutrition and health care shield them from disease. This concept is the basis of our child protection strategy. UNICEF works across the CEE/CIS region by seeking to strengthen protection measures, and helping governments to fulfill their obligations on child protection.
