Ending Violence Against Children
A reference handbook for community engagement
Highlights
The burden of violence against children and young people and associated consequences on their mental health in Bhutan is becoming grave.
The National Survey on Violence Against Children (VAC) and Young People, 2016 found that 6 out of 10 children (64.1 per cent) had experienced some form of physical violence; and 1 in 8 children (12.8 per cent) had experienced sexual violence. Exposure to digital pornography is on the rise specifically among boys (11.3 per cent.)
The effects of violence against children and young people and mental health problems in childhood and adolescence can persist throughout the life-course, with serious health and socio-economic implications. Exposure to violence at an early age can impair brain development and is associated with a range of mental health problems. Violence can lead to acute and long-term problems for children’s physical, sexual and reproductive health as well as their psychological well-being.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these issues. This handbook on Ending Violence Against Children is a reference on the kinds of violence children and young people are at risk of and the roles parents, communities and leaders play in protecting children from violence.
The handbook, a reference for community engagement, is part of the Ending Violence against Children Campaign - Rangi Buzhi Rangi Gyenkhu - Our Children; Our Responsibility,” a multi-sectoral Social and Behaviour Change campaign that was launched in May 2022 to raise awareness and influence service seeking behaviour among children, parents and care givers on preventing violence against children.
