ECONOMIC COSTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN SOLOMON ISLANDS
For every child, a childhood
Highlights
Sadly, children in Solomon Islands experience abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence on a daily basis. This not only affects their physical and mental health but also leads to challenges in education, social services, and their overall quality of life. The long-term impacts are well-documented: children who suffer abuse are more likely to become violent adults, perpetuating a cycle that negatively impacts the economic wellbeing of families for generations. The cost of inaction is even higher, as failing to address these issues leads to greater societal and economic burdens.
The study on the Economic Cost of Violence against Children is a product of collaboration between the Government of Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). This landmark report presents a comprehensive analysis of the urgent need to invest in child protection, detailing the direct and indirect socio-economic costs of underinvestment in this area. The study estimates that the total economic cost of VAC in Solomon Islands reached SBD 1,116.1 million, equivalent to 9.13% of GDP in 2021. This includes:
• SBD 41.1 million in direct medical costs
• SBD 20.1 million in direct non-medical costs
• SBD 185.2 million in indirect tangible costs
• SBD 869.6 million in indirect intangible costs
These findings provide critical evidence for increased financing and targeted interventions to prevent and respond to VAC. The report emphasizes that this significant economic burden can be reduced through strategic investments that yield measurable improvements in child protection outcomes.
