Violence, abuse and neglect
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© UNICEF/ Romania0117/Langestrassen |
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Smiling faces behind fences |
The study “Child Abuse in Residential Institution in Romania” printed in 2001, showed that almost half of the children in institutions (48%) confirmed beating as a punitive practice even if in the qualitative survey most of the children stated that the frequency of beatings in institutions has decreased during the last 2-3 years. The same study also revealed that 47% of parents frequently resort to beatings as a means for punishing their children. A number of incidental findings also indicate an alarming trend of violence in schools, with perpetrators being either teachers or other children. Research findings indicate the presence of sexual abuse and drugs in schools (11% of children).
UNICEF is currently offering input to the UN Global Study on Violence Against Violence which uses as definition of violence, all forms of physical and mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse. UNICEF is working on analyzing the scope and adequacy of state initiatives to prevent or respond to violence towards children as per the CRC provisions that set out the basic obligations for which the state is accountable, with particular focus on the child protection and juvenile justice system. It is also presently engaged in an ongoing study on violence in schools, the results of which are assisting the Ministry of Education in drafting its measures to tackle this issue.
One of the forms of violence to which children facing difficult situation might be exposed, is child labor. Over 70,000 children are exploited through labour in Romania and 1.4% are 5-14 years old. 92-93% of children exposed to child labour come from rural areas, 3.5% work in hazardous places and in 98% of the situation there is a violation of legal requirements concerning minimum age / working hours. UNICEF intends to address the need of the protective environment for the children at risk of exploitation, mainly since the new legislation offers suggestions for special mechanisms based on integrated approach and community based services.
