Violence, abuse and neglect
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© UNICEF/ Romania0117/Langestrassen |
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Smiling faces behind fences |
UNICEF Romania offered input for the 2006 UN Global Study on Violence Against Children. The definition of violence is based on Art. 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which states that this is “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.”
Many parents frequently resort to beatings as a means for punishing their children. Likewise, the alarming trend of violence in schools in Romania continues to be of concern, with perpetrators being either teachers or other children, as is sexual abuse and drugs in schools.
UNICEF is working on analyzing the scope and adequacy of state initiatives to prevent or respond to violence towards children as per the provisions of the Convention for the Rights of the Child, which set out the basic obligations for which the state is accountable, with particular focus on child protection and the juvenile justice system. UNICEF carried out the first national baseline study which formed the basis for the design and adaptation of the National Strategy for Combatting Violence in Schools. In partnership with the Institute for Educational Sciences, UNICEF developed a methodological guide for the development of school-based strategies for combatting violence.
One of the forms of violence to which children in difficult situations might be exposed is child labour. Due to the existence of labour intensive subsistence farming, and the expectation that children contribute to the family income, a 2003 survey found that about half of all children working in Romania are considered part of the exploitative category of child labour, with 23,618 of them between the ages of 5-14. Some 98% of the situations there is a violation of legal requirements in terms of minimum age/working hours. UNICEF is committed to assist in efforts to provide a protective environment for children at risk of exploitation, especially since new legislation provides for special mechanisms based on an integrated approach and community-based services.
