More than 1 billion children are affected by some type of violence each year.
Violence is the world’s worst crime against children. It happens in every country, city and community. Violence is a thief; physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation rob children of their future, their dignity, human rights and God-given potential.
World Vision is relentlessly advocating for an end to violence against children; highlighting it when it occurs and holding those responsible to account. We work to prevent violence wherever it occurs so no child has to experience it. We are working with survivors, strengthening the systems and services available to them to ensure they have the chance to heal and recover. We will amplify their stories and voices.
We believe that a world without violence against children is possible.
How we're ending violence against children:
Preventing Sexual abuse and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)
Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed on girls younger than 16. Almost a quarter of all trafficking victims around the world are girls, and the majority of them are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
We provide child survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse with shelter and help them heal and return to family and community life. We also train police personnel to address sexual crimes against children. We work with children, faith actors, media and the general population to challenge the social norms that condone sexual violence against children and against girls in particular.
Ending child marriage
More than 650 million women alive today were married before the age of 18. In 2016, an estimated 5.6 million girls under the age of 18 became child brides.
Child marriage compromises a child’s development and severely limits her or his opportunities in life. We believe that the legal age of marriage should be set at 18 or above in every country - for both girls and boys. We work with local authorities to implement existing laws and we empower girls and boys to report cases and take action to prevent forced marriages of their peers. A global effort has prevented about 25 million child marriages over the past 10 years. However, much more needs to be done
No more child soldiers
The recruitment and use of child soldiers steals the future of children. It is one of the most serious violations of children's rights.
Tens of thousands of girls and boys are currently used as child soldiers by armed groups around the world - as spies, messengers, in armed combat, or as ‘wives’ of fighters. The horrors of armed conflict leave long-lasting physical and psychological effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe personality changes, particularly when children have also been given drugs.
World Vision works to prevent children from being recruited into armed groups by strengthening child protection systems, promoting peacebuilding and increasing access to education and work opportunities for entire communities.
Ending child labour
Child labour is dangerous, often exploitative work that exceeds reasonable hours and interferes with a child’s education. It deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity.
The worst forms include slavery, trafficking, sexual exploitation and hazardous work that put children at risk of death, injury or disease.
World Vision works to empower children to know their rights, help them and their families into better jobs, vocational training or education. We also work with parents and communities to see that children's futures are not stolen by labour exploitation.
Another important factor in child labour protection is advocacy - which is where your voice is particularly powerful. We demand that law enforcement and justice systems investigate and prosecute those who exploit children, and pressure and support private sector organizations to strengthen their supply chains to stop using child labour.
Helping conflict affected children and refugees
An estimated 535 million children, a quarter of the world's children, live in countries affected by conflict or disasters. Nearly 50 million have been forcibly displaced from their homes, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.
Children are the most vulnerable victims of conflict due to many factors. Besides being among the many civilian casualties during an armed conflict, children may be orphaned or separated from their families and become heads of households which leaves them vulnerable to forced labour, sexual exploitation or recruitment in armed forces.
How World Vision Ireland is responding
World Vision Ireland, with the support of Irish Aid, continues to work tirelessly around the clock to improve gender-based violence in the developing world, to protect the rights of women and children, and to help create a more equal society and world.
World Vision Ireland’s Humanitarian Programme Plan programme works to create a girl-friendly environment in schools, strengthens community-based protection mechanisms through schools clubs, child protection and GBV committees and strengthens access to psycho-social support and response services.
World Vision Irelands AIM Health Plus Programme works with community groups to increase community awareness and action on GBV prevention sharing messages against early marriage, teenage pregnancy and other forms of GBV.
One of World Vision Ireland’s Humanitarian Programme Plan key interventions are the establishment of Child Friendly Spaces and Early Childhood Development Centres. Through trained volunteers these spaces provide children with a safe place to play, to participate in activities and to access education. Thanks to the Irish public children have been able to escape from the terrors they have been exposed to as a result of a conflict. In these Child-Friendly Spaces, they have a chance to receive counselling and play. Youth are also supported with life skills training on peacebuilding and transformation, conflict management, leadership, communication, coexistence, and solidarity.
Supported, by Irish Aid, our Humanitarian Programme Plan improves children’s access to education and promotes children’s rights, protecting them from child marriage. Our Maternal and Child Health Programme has been engaging with faith leaders to create greater community awareness of child protection and the prevention of early marriage. The programme has also been working closely with local partners to increase community awareness of dangers of teenage pregnancy, strengthen GBV referral pathways and youth friendly services at all levels of service provision.
What we have learned about ending violence against children:
It can be done: ending violence against children is possible
It takes a world: key actors must be engaged and participating
There is no magic wand: ending violence requires a combination of different approaches
Context is key: when our approaches reflect the local culture, norms and infrastructure, they work
Big picture, little picture: solutions require direct interventions and longer-term system strengthening
It takes children: boys and girls play a significant role, as active agents of change
Scaling up: do more of what works, in more places