Violence against children: an overview

Since its creation, the United Nations has prioritized protecting the rights and safety of children as central to its efforts to promote justice, human rights and safeguard our future.

In 1946, in the aftermath of World War II, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) was created to help children and young people whose lives and futures were at risk, regardless of their country's role in the war.

Thirty-five years ago, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, becoming the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. This convention champions children's rights in numerous ways—from ensuring birth registration and meeting children's basic needs to protecting them from violence, abuse, and neglect.

Over the last few decades, other significant entities were created to address specific threats and advocate for better protection of children facing all forms of violence and those caught in conflicts.

As the world faces unprecedented threats, children's rights and safety are in peril. Violence against children—whether in bustling cities, remote villages, or war-torn countries—remains a global epidemic demanding a unified response from countries, local communities, and the international community.

All children deserve to live free from violence. This overview explores the critical issue of violence against children and why it cannot be justified under any circumstances and must be prevented at all costs.

No violence is justifiable

Children experience violence in various forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual. The abuse can occur anywhere - in homes, schools, communities, and online. And the impact of such violence can be traumatic, often leading to lifelong consequences.

The numbers are devastating. At the end of 2022, more than 450 million children worldwide - or 1 in 6 - lived in conflict zones where their safety and well-being were at constant risk. Over 40 million have been displaced by conflict and violence.

Crimes against children continue to rise. Globally, homicide kills a child every five minutes. More than 240 million children experience violence in and around their schools. Thirty-five per cent of trafficking victims are children. About 15 per cent of children have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Some 160 million children have been exposed to child labour.

Girls are particularly vulnerable. An estimated 640 million women and girls alive today have been married as children. Some 230 million women and girls alive today live with the consequences of female genital mutilation - a practice that jeopardises their rights, health and integrity.

Moreover, poverty, inequalities and food insecurity are exacerbating the situation. Over 300 million children live in extreme poverty, even in the world’s richest countries.

Climate change is a “threat multiplier” for violence against children. It magnifies existing challenges such as poverty, displacement and loss of education that enable violence to thrive. Approximately 1 billion children are now at extremely high risk of being affected by climate change.

All violence is preventable

Preventing violence against children is a complex challenge requiring a comprehensive approach. This necessitates strong international and national laws and policies that protect children's rights and hold perpetrators accountable. However, legal frameworks alone are not enough. We must also challenge social norms that condone violence and promote practices that help children thrive.

Prevention efforts must focus on creating supportive environments for families and communities. This includes providing access to essential resources to meet their basic needs–food, water, shelter, education and healthcare. Ultimately, preventing violence against children requires a collective commitment to prioritize their well-being and ensure their safety.

Here are some recommendations from UNICEF on what everyone can do to protect children from harm:

Citizens everywhere must acknowledge and address children's suffering, regardless of distance or political complexity.

We must insist to national and international leaders that protecting children during armed conflict is the cornerstone of our shared humanity.

We must demand leadership which is prepared to act to prevent attacks and violence against children trapped in war zones.

Governments and all warring parties where conflicts rage must act to fulfill their obligations to protect children and enable access to specialized response services for children affected by violence.

Communities in conflict-affected areas must be supported to create protective environments for girls and boys.

Governments who support or who have influence over warring parties must use all their influence to insist children are protected according to the requirements of international law.

International peace and security institutions like the UN Security Council and regional organizations can do more to prioritize the safety and well-being of children trapped in armed conflicts.

The international community can do more to support programmes which work to protect children from violence, abuse, and exploitation, and deliver the services needed to help children come through conflict with hope for a better future.

Every child deserves to live free from violence. Learn more about how we can help them flourish in a peaceful world.