How to End Violence Against Children: Six Strategies by UNICEF

Contrary to what most people believe, violence of any sort is preventable; be it violence against women, children or men. But, the most scarring of them all is violence against children.

These days, violence against children is very common, and it's just not about physical violence, abuse can be of all sorts, child labour, neglect, mental and sexual torture.

Organisations all over the world, like UNICEF, have been doing their bit to end violence against children. For example, last year in September, UNICEF in their attempt to prevent violence in childhood released six strategies for action, a follow-up of their #ENDviolence initiative that was launched in 2013.

These strategies aim to strengthen child protection systems as powerful tools to end violence, exploitation and abuse in their multiple forms. It also addresses several social factors and norms perpetuate violence and promotes positive social changes and outcomes.

Without much ado, let's see what these strategies are all about:

Step 1: Supporting Parents, Caretakers and Families

It's very important to educate parents, caretakers and families about their child's early development. This increases the chances that they will use positive disciplining methods, reducing the risk of violence with the home.

Step 2: Helping Children and Adolescents Manage Risks and Challenges

Giving children and adolescents the skills to cope and manage the risks and challenges without the use of violence and seek appropriate support in case violence does occur is imperative in reducing violence in schools and communities.

Step 3: Changing Attitudes and Social Norms That Encourage Violence and Discrimination

In order to prevent violence from occurring in the first place, it's important to change the attitudes and social norms that keep violence hidden behind closed doors.

Step 4: Promoting and Providing Support Services for Children

Encouraging children to seek quality professional help and report incidents of violence helps them to better cope and resolve the issue.

Step 5: Implementing Laws and Policies That Protect Children

Implementing and enforcing laws and policies that protect children sends out a strong message to the society that violence is unacceptable and is a punishable offense.

Step 6: Carrying Out Data Collection and Research

If you want to end violence, the best thing is to know where it occurs, and in what form, and which age groups and communities are the most affected. All this information will help you plan and design intervention strategies.
If you too want to end violence against children, join this campaign today and #ENDviolence against children.