International statistics indicate that almost 3 out of 4 children aged 2-4 years experience physical discipline and/or psychological harassment from parents and caregivers regularly, and 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 13 men report having been sexually abused as a child.
An approximate 40 150 homicide deaths in children under 18 years of age are recorded every year, some of which are possibly due to child violence. The true extent of the problem is almost certainly underestimated by this figure, because
What is violence against children?
Abuse of children is any action that damages a child (in this case anyone under 18). It can take many forms, as well as neglect and exploitation, including physical, sexual, and emotional violence.
Child molestation is against the law. If you or a child you know is in imminent danger, call 000 at the police station.
It's important to let others know if you've been harmed, or if you know someone you have. Significant and long-lasting are the consequences of violence on an infant.
This could be useful if:
You want child exploitation information
You know someone who might be abused,
In coping with violence, you want to support.
Forms of mistreatment
Abusive behavior includes treating others with abuse or cruelty. It also occurs occasionally or repeatedly. Four key forms of violence exist:
Physical abuse: The use of physical force against a child that causes harm and does not happen by mistake. Hit, beat, shake, punch, bite, burn, scratch, strangle, or choke.
Sexual abuse: Any form of a child's sexual involvement or interaction with an adult. Voyeurism (spying on or watching a kid), sexual acts and incest may be sexual harassment (sex between family members). Learn about sexual harassment for more information on sexual abuse.
Emotional abuse: A pattern of denying affection, acceptance, and protection to a child, or mistreating a child in the manner in which an adult talks to or behaves towards them. Bullying, screaming, isolating, criticizing, terrorizing, disregarding, and shaming
Why do kids get abused?
Child violence, regardless of the cause, is never okay. Such explanations people give as to why children are exploited include:
A desire to feel strong
As infants, they experienced violence,
They don't know that kids have the right to feel safe,
It's okay or acceptable, they think (it's not, ever).
Results of violence of children
If as a kid you've been abused, it may lead to:
Self-blaming/shame
Anger at the abuser
Fear of getting close to people and trusting them
Abuse of kids and the rules
Abuse of children is unlawful and should be reported. Speak to someone you trust if you've been assaulted, who will support you through the process. You don't need to face the abuser in court to testify about it. On camera, you can provide proof without having to go through the trauma of a court case.
Seeking Aid
To cope with child violence and its consequences, there are things you can do.
Speak about it with someone you trust. This may be a member of a friend or family. A police officer, a doctor, a counselor, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a trusted teacher, another family member, or a health professional may also be involved.
Do not forget that it's not your fault. You can understand how defenseless you were at the moment if you look at children who are the same age as you were when it happened.
Learn about the exploitation of children and its consequences.
Speak to other individuals who have endured child neglect child support groups.
Although violence and neglect of children is a major public health concern, it is also a preventable one. It is important to establish prevention programs, to raise awareness of their family-teacher-community, and to make legal agreements to protect children from this situation.
