Measures to stop violence against children – A global issue!

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together make this world a beautiful garden”. Children are the most innocent and wonderful beings on this earth. But in the 21st century, human values have been degraded to a great extent especially concerning children. Children of all genders, social backgrounds, nationalities, and ages are harassed, smacked, tortured, and also killed. Violence against children is a global epidemic. It is a daily reality for millions of children across countries. In today’s time, child abuse and violence are not only limited to homes and families but also schools, colleges, offices, and societies. Brutality against children is one of the biggest problems affecting families and communities. Child assault has many forms and faces – mental, emotional, physical, sexual abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and much more. It often happens in families, communities, and all around the world. It can affect children deeply, with severe consequences for their psychological, mental, and physical health. With a lack of support, it can lead to trauma and affect the long term development of children. The people who usually carry out such violent acts are those closest to the children. It can be their parents, teachers, siblings, guardians, employers, and the people who are meant to protect them.

Violence can affect children for the rest of their life. They can experience depression, anxiety, aggression, and pass on the violence to their peers or future generations. Therefore, ending violence against children is very important to protect each child’s rights and also for the health of communities and societies.

Here are some effective approaches to cease the course of violence and help children become better human beings and thrive after experiencing it.

  1. Supporting and trying to understand how children behave at different ages. To set up realistic expectations and be accepting if children fall short.
  2. By providing proper food, sleep, and healthcare facilities to children. Also giving them the required attention and space.
  3. To focus on building and strengthening families for stable and positive relationships.
  4. Raising awareness and empowering societies and communities to create safer environments for children.
  5. Control aggression and harsh words in front of children as it can leave emotional scars for a lifetime.
  6. Teaching children to use their voice to prevent abuse in their life.
  7. Inculcate discipline and make your home a violence-free zone. Turn off violent TV shows and avoid physical punishment.
  8. Build a support network of friends and families to respond appropriately to cases of child abuse and violence.
  9. Providing quality care and nurturing environments for the recovery of children who have faced molestation in the past.
  10. Informing the government authorities about child abuse incidents and raising awareness about such issues by drafting reports and newsletter and sharing it across.
  11. Collaborating with NGOs working for the rights of children and implementing the International Child Safeguarding Standards.
  12. Motivating leaders in the different communities to support children facing any kind of violence at home or in society. Encouraging employers to provide cordial and safe work environments.
  13. To ask local and national lawmakers to protect and improve the lives of orphan children and safeguard them against abuse.
  14. Giving training to healthcare professionals so that they can develop the required competencies to take care of children and help them overcome the facts of violence.

Thus, child exploitation in the form of abuse, domestic violence, child labour etc. pervades the developing world. According to a recent survey by the International Labour Office around 250 million children between the ages of 5 and 15 years are working. Despite a lot of progress in the world, millions of children are still living without their basic rights. Their lives are being touched by conflict, slavery, sexual abuse and the impacts of climate conditions. Though there are bad times but also there are good times and saviours who care to make a difference in the world. These NGOs are working towards the upliftment of children, some of these are HelpAge India, Save the Children, World Vision India etc. There are also people working for the betterment of children. One such person is Dr Varun Gupta, who has touched the lives of lakhs of children by helping them with education and healthcare assistance. To know more about him visit: https://www.drvarungupta.in/