“Millions of children around the world are victims of physical, sexual and psychological violence, both online and offline, including child labor, child marriage, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, human trafficking, bullying and cyberbullying,” she said. .
The report says many more children are vulnerable to violence due to what it calls “multidimensional poverty.”
It finds that half of the world’s children, approximately one billion, are “at high risk” of being affected by the climate crisis.
One in six young people worldwide also grows up in conflict areas.
“This is a crucial moment. Violence against children has reached unprecedented levels, caused by multifaceted and interconnected crises,” said Ms. M’Jid.
Children’s vulnerability to violence is a global problem that transcends geographic and socio-economic boundaries.
“The problem right now is that no country is immune, no child is immune. In all countries we find many forms of violence,” said Ms M’Jid, adding that “you can have the same child who is a victim of different forms of violence in different circumstances.”
© UNICEF/Ralph Tedy Erol
Children all over the world, including in Haiti (photo), face the threat of violence in conflict situations.
According to the report, nearly 400 million children under the age of five regularly experience psychological aggression and physical punishment at home.
This is evident from figures from the UN Children’s Fund. UNICEFfor International Day of the Girl Child estimates that as of October 11, more than 370 million girls and women alive today, or one in eight, have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.
If we include ‘non-contact’ forms of sexual violence, such as online or verbal violence, the number of girls and women affected rises to 650 million, according to UNICEF.
Online exploitation
Ms M’Jid expressed her particular concern about the online sexual exploitation of children.
“The problem is really big,” Ms M’Jid warned, with “the increase in internet connectivity among children and an increase in online predators”.
© UNICEF
Many children are confronted with online abuse.
Cyberbullying also emerged as a major problem, with 15 percent of children worldwide reporting being victims.
The Special Representative noted that the issue is a complex one to address. “It is not an easy task to solve because you have to take three parts into account. The victims, the bullies and the bystanders.”
Child labor: a form of violence
The report shows that 160 million children are still involved in child labor, “a form of violence against children,” said Ms M’Jid. “Children should go to school and not work.”
She further emphasized the interconnected nature of different forms of violence. “Many children who are victims of child labor are also victims of human trafficking, smuggling and sexual exploitation.”
Long-lasting consequences
The report highlights the serious consequences of violence against children. “It has a long-lasting impact on children’s mental health. We are seeing an increase in suicides, behavioral disorders, eating disorders, drug addiction, despair and post-traumatic stress disorders.”
Ms M’Jid also explained that “it affects their training, performance and learning”.
