Children's Actions to End Violence against Boys and Girls

Summary: A contribution to the UN Study on Violence against Children

Preface by Paulo Sergio Pinheiro

Ask a boy or a girl about violence in their life, and they will tell you in very clear
terms what it means, what it feels like, and that they want it to stop. This is what I
have heard from children all over the world through the nine regional consultations
facilitated by the Study and its partners. No matter how complex academics and others
describe the task of defining violence against children as being - and certainly it
is complex - it is not theoretical or abstract to those who are affected. In most parts
of the world we are just beginning to collect the research and technical information
we need to respond more comprehensively, but it is clear that we have enough examples and knowledge to be strategic and effective – if only we would apply what we
know.

The involvement of children in the Study process over its two years has been very
strategic. Thanks to their enthusiastic participation I have had the benefit of hearing
first-hand from children; and I have also talked to others who have discussed
the issues with children and young people: decision-makers such as politicians and
parliamentarians, and others working with children such as care providers and professionals.

While it is somewhat of a generalisation, the stereotypical image is of the helpless child as victim, or the out-of-control teenage boy as a delinquent – but this publication brings together experiences of children who are taking action, to overcome challenges in their individual lives, in their schools, and in their communities.

These examples show that adult support is important, but that given the space and
opportunity, children themselves have a lot to offer. Treating children as faceless victims or uncontrollable adolescents is an over-simplification that ignores the linkages across multiple violations of children’s rights that often bring them into situations of violence in the first place. It also fails to disentangle the causes from consequences, and does not see the opportunities for prevention of violence and the promotion of protective factors in children’s lives. Feeling disenchanted with life, marginalised, or excluded are all part of the problem of violence – but this publication shows how inclusion, focusing on assets and capabilities, and getting involved can create success.

This publication helps to illustrate, from a child’s perspective, the sliding scale that makes up the social definitions of violence – the sliding scale that allows acts of violence against children to be treated so differently from the same acts when committed against adults, when they are considered crimes. Too often acts of violence towards children are not normally regarded as violence at all. This publication also attests to the fact that nobody is free of violence and that every day there are more lessons in violence acted out around us – but it is at the same time motivational to see the innovation in the responses.

As a fairly recent “convert” to the imperative of involving children in decisions
that affect them, I would not want this publication to be misconstrued as fully transferring responsibility onto children. Participation of children and adolescents
requires the full support of families and governments for the implementation of their rights; they are important partners who should be consulted in appropriate ways,
and who have a great deal to offer. Working to prevent violence and reduce its impact
where it occurs, requires integrated partnerships and broad networks of expertise
that can recognise and respond to the ways in which forms of violence and violations
of children’s rights are interlinked.

I deeply appreciate the efforts of those supporting children’s participation in all
its forms, and I trust that this publication will not only stand as a contribution to
the Study process, but will also contribute to expanding the opportunities for children
to be involved as a routine and essential part of community consultation, and
especially on decisions affecting them.