Submitted by crinadmin on
A side event at the 13th session of the Human Rights Council addressed sexual violence against children. Lucien Stopler, of Terre des Hommes, said that child abuse affects about three per cent of European children. Recent research suggests about ten per cent of children in Europe have experienced abuse before the age of 18. “However, the reality is that this figure is likely to be much higher,” he said. Poverty, substance abuse and sexual abuse in their own childhood are among the factors that lead adults to abuse. Mr Stopler said that awareness and training need to be tailored to the child’s network. General practitioners, health practices, new mothers, teachers, social workers and psychologists all need to be trained to recognise the signals, he said. Information given to general practitioners in one study enabled them to recognise four times the number of abuse cases than before they were educated. The tendency was towards institutionalisation in the 60s and 70s for those that had been abused, Mr Stopler said. This is changing, and there is more effort to place children in alternative families. Some children have been rejected by mothers after complaining of abuse by, for example, step fathers. Mr Stopler went on to note that although poverty is often identified as one of the main reasons for abuse, social interventions and not just material needs have been proved to be necessary in combating sexual violence towards children. “The main element of child abuse that needs to be addressed is rendering the behaviour socially unacceptable”, he said. One has to be mindful of the family bond that is shattered as a result of prosecutions or accusations of abuse. Investigations may be invasive, and children may be stigmatised. Mr Stopler said: “Firmer policing has accentuated the need for coordinated approach in child protection.” He concluded by suggesting that stopping violence should be mitigated by the following activities: He said: “European social work needs to integrate its activities within existing social structures. Police should take strong action, but there must be increasing coordination with social work. “ Anastasie Koudoh, of Plan West Africa, then presented. She said: “Young people play a key role in breaking the chain of violence that affects so many families.” She added access to quality education is crucial. Abigail Sogah, a member of a youth initiative in Ghana, called on governments to intensify law enforcement and awareness of sexual violence. She said: “From my experience, sexual violence can be completely eradicated in our communities. We need to take action now.” Read Abigail’s statement from the plenary session on the rights of the child. She emphasised that children needed to be involved in designing protection mechanisms, and that reporting abuse can begin a process of healing for children. Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative to the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, said she felt very strongly encouraged by the discussions on sexual violence at the HRC so far. She noted that professionals who work with children are often not trained to deal with incidences of sexual violence. A representative from the International Disability Alliance noted that children with disabilities are at high risk of sexual violence. A representative from the Philippines asked about the areas of work that Abigail, the youth panellist, felt still needed adult supervision or intervention. Abigail responded by explaining that youth activists had undertaken a number of programmes in her community, and that funds and transportation were needed to expand such programmes in different communities. She said they also needed education and training to improve advocacy, and know where they needed to focus their efforts. The side event was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway in cooperation with Plan, Terre des Hommes International, International Save the Children Alliance, Bureau International Catholique de l’Enfance, Women World Summit Foundation (WWSMF), World Vision International and the NGO group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. More information
• Minimising secondary victimisation, such as by sensitising police and installing special child friendly rooms for allegations.
• A system of social support should be activated as soon as there is an allegation of abuse.
Naiyana Thanawattho, of Save the Children Sweden, outlined some of the activities undertaken in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region to combat sexual violence against children.