rewrite this title Every four minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies from an act of violence

PUNTA CANA. As world leaders, civil society, child advocates, survivors and young people gather this week at the Global Conference to End Child Violence, taking place for the first time in Bogotá, Colombia UNICEF calls for urgent action to combat the violence that destroys the lives of millions of children around the world.

Violence against children – whether physical, emotional or sexual – constitutes a global crisis that occurs in homes, schools, communities and on the internet. Its effects are serious, causing injuries, sexually transmitted infections, mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, and death. Exposure at an early age can cause toxic stress that affects brain development and generates aggression, in addition to promoting substance abuse and the appearance of criminal behavior. Children who experience violence are also more likely to be affected by cycles of trauma and violence in adulthood, impacting entire communities.

“We are the first generation to be fully aware of the incidence, causes and costs of violence against children, and the first to know the solutions that work,” said Sheema SenGupta, Director of Child Protection at UNICEF. “If we invest in prevention measures, education and support services, we can break the cycle of violence and build a world in which children are safe.”

According to the latest available global data:

• Every four minutes, somewhere in the world, a child dies as a result of an act of violence.
• Around 90 million boys and girls alive today have suffered episodes of sexual violence.
• 650 million girls and women (1 in 5) alive today were victims of sexual violence in their childhood, of whom more than 370 million (1 in 8) suffered rape or sexual assault.
• In fragile environments, girls face an even greater risk, with the prevalence of rape and sexual assault in childhood being slightly more than 1 in 4.
• Almost 50 million adolescent women ages 15 to 19 (1 in 6) have been victims of physical or sexual violence by their husbands or romantic partners in the last year.
• Between 410 and 530 million boys and men (about 1 in 7) experienced childhood sexual violence, including 240 to 310 million (about 1 in 11) who were raped or sexually assaulted.
• 1.6 billion boys and girls (2 out of every 3) suffer violent punishment at home on a regular basis; More than two thirds are subject to both physical punishment and psychological attacks.
• Every year, violence claims the lives of an average of 130,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20.
• Boys are at greater risk of dying from violence: 3 out of every 4 children and adolescents killed by violence were boys.
• The risk of dying from an act of violence increases drastically at the end of adolescence: 7 out of every 10 boys and girls killed by violence were between 15 and 19 years old, most of them boys.
• Nearly 550 million boys or girls (approximately 1 in 4) live in a home where the mother has been a victim of acts of violence caused by her romantic partner.

The ministerial conference is a crucial opportunity to step up efforts to end violence and ensure a future in which all children grow up safe. UNICEF calls for strong political leadership, evidence-based policies and interventions, and adequate funding, and calls for action in three key areas: 1) universal access to parenting support programs that support nurturing and sensitive care; 2) universal provision of safe and enabling school environments; and 3) provision of specific response and support services for all children who need them. SOURCE: UNICEF