In 2003, the United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children was launched. Sponsored by UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the High Commissioner on Human Rights, the study was designed to collect information on children who have been targetted by violence around the world. In a series of regional meetings, experts gathered to share information and to plan a series of resolutions to be formally presented to the United Nations. Numerous non-governmental organizations also participated.
The final report, released in November 20006, presents a variety of disturbing statistics:
- An estimated 53,000 child deaths in 2002 were believed to be homicides
- 3 million girls are subjected to genital mutilation each year
- An estimated 218 million children were involved in child labour, many under hazardous conditions
- Sexual offending against children remains prevalent with over 200 million children under 18 experiencing some sort of forced intercourse or other sexual violence
The report also lists strategies designed to combat child victimization including further promoting of data collection and research, enhancing reinforcement of existing child protection legislation, and increased accessibility to intervention and prevention resources.
Click here to download he United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence Against Children.
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