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Abstract
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Violence against children includes all forms of violence under 18 years old, whether perpetrated by parents or other caregivers, peers, romantic partners, or strangers (World Health Organization [WHO, 2018]). As defined by The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), violence is, "all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse" (UNICEF, 2017). It includes maltreatment, bullying, youth violence, intimate partner violence, sexual violence and emotional or psychological violence (detailed definition given in Appendix 1).
More than one billion children--half the children in the world--are victims of violence every year (Hillis et al., 2016). Global Burden of Disease estimates that 91.4% of deaths due to interpersonal violence occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the rate of collective violence being 10 times higher in LMICs than high-income countries (HICs) (Mercy et al., 2017).
Violence, exploitation and abuse against children occur in the homes, families, schools, care and justice systems, workplaces and communities across all contexts, including as a result of conflict and natural disasters (UNICEF, 2011). Children are especially vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and trafficking (collective violence) during emergencies and armed conflicts. Children in different setting are exposed to various forms of violence including sexual abuse, armed violence, trafficking, child labour, gender-based violence, gang violence, peer-violence, corporal punishments, cyber bullying, female genital mutilation, violence in war/conflict affected region and child marriage (UNICEF, 2010).
A few striking features of childhood violence have drawn substantial international attention in recent years. First, violence exposure starts early in childhood through experience of corporal punishment as early as age. Second, much of the violence experienced by children is at the hands of adults who are typically to be found within a circle of trust and caregiving--parents, teachers, neighbours and authority figures. Third, there is also a striking rise in peer violence as children grow older and violence spills into peer relationships including through bullying [offline and online], dating and intimate partner violence, as well as gang violence (Know Violence in Childhood, 2017)...
Language: en |