Protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation

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Hello everyone, @Oghie here.

Literally, all children have the right to be protected from violence, abuse and exploitation. Yet, thousands of children worldwide from all socio-economic backgrounds, genders, across all ages, religions and cultures undergo violence, abuse and exploitation every single day. Millions more are at a higher risk.

Some girls and boys are exceptionally defenseless because of religion, gender, race, ethnic origin or socio-economic status. Higher levels of vulnerability are frequently connected with children with disabilities, orphans, indigenous, from ethnic minorities and other marginalized groups. Another risks for children are connected with working and living on the streets, living in institutions and detention, and living in communities where inequality, discrepancy, ill-treat, unemployment and poverty are highly centralized. Natural disasters, armed conflict, and displacement may uncover children to additional risks/danger. Internally displaced, child refugees, children and unaccompanied migrant children are also populations of concern. Vulnerability is also connected with age; immature children are at greater risk of definite types of violence and the risks differ as they grow and get older.

Violence, exploitation and abuse are frequently practiced by someone known to the child, including parents, caretakers, teachers,family members employers, friends, law enforcement authorities, .Only a little measure of acts of violence, exploitation and abuse are reported and investigated, and few violators are held accountable.

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Violence, abuse and exploitation occur in the homes, schools, families, workplaces and communities across all contexts, as a result of natural disasters and conflict. Countless children have been exposed to numerous forms of violence, exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation, trafficking, armed violence, gender-based violence, vehemence, child labour, bullying , gang violence, female genital cutting/mutilation, child marriage, physically and emotionally violent child discipline, and other hurtful practices.

There is an evidence that violence, exploitation and abuse can affect the child’s physical and mental health in the short and longer term negatively, debilitating their ability to socialize and learn, and impacting their transition to adulthood with adverse consequences later in life.

Childhood should be carefree, playing in the sun; not living a nightmare in the darkness of the soul