UNICEF: No to violence against children!Malaysians urged to protect children from all forms of violence, including abuse, neglect and exploitation
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 October 2006 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners are joining hands to sound a clarion call, urging all of society to protect children from the multi-faceted forms of violence, including abuse, neglect and exploitation. The call was made at the "Cherish our children - stop violence now!" forum in Malaysia to mark the global launch of the United Nations World Report on Violence Against Children. UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Special Representative to Singapore and Brunei, Gaye Phillips said that violence has no place in children’s lives. “Violence against children is a violation against their human rights," said Phillips. "It is unacceptable and can never be justified whether for disciplinary reasons or cultural tradition. Legalised violence against children in one context risks tolerance of violence against children generally." Experts explain why violence must stop Four Malaysian child protection experts joined Phillips to share their views on the issue with some 100 representatives from Government, civil society, faith-based organisations, the private sector and the media. Datin Rose Ismail, a well known former newspaper editor moderated the ensuing discussion. Violence against children is defined to include physical violence, psychological violence, discrimination, neglect and abuse. It ranges from physical, verbal and sexual abuse in the home to humiliating punishment and bullying at school; as well as from abuse and neglect in institutions to gang warfare on the streets where children play or work. "The physical, emotional and psychological scars of physical and sexual abuse can have severe implications for a child’s development, health and ability to learn," said Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Sham. "Studies have shown that experiencing violence in childhood is strongly associated with health risk behaviours later in life such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, physical inactivity and obesity." Multidisciplinary approach to end violence Phillips stressed that the challenge of ending violence against children requires a multidisciplinary approach combining strong responsive and preventive strategies which focus on the four “Ps”: Protection of children, Prevention of violence, Prosecution of criminals and Participation of children. She also highlighted recommendations put forward by the Secretary-General to end violence against children:
“The best way to deal with violence against children is to stop it before it happens. Children are to be cherished and protected. Each of us has a role to play to bring an end to violence against children,” added Phillips. UN World Report on Violence against Children The five-year Study combines human rights, public health and child protection perspectives and focuses on five ‘settings’ where violence occurs: the home and family, schools and educational settings, institutions (care and judicial), the workplace, and the community. Governments and civil society were engaged in various regional consultations to determine the range and extent of violence against children. The Study is the first one by the United Nations to engage directly and consistently with children, underlining and reflecting children’s status as rights holders, and their right to express views on all matters that affect them and have their views given due weight. On 11 October 2006, Professor Pinheiro presented his independent report to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, at UNHQ in New York. The Secretary-General later in the same day launched his Report on Violence Against Children together with the UNICEF Executive Director. For more information, visit the Secretary-General’s Report on Violence Against Children Global Website.
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