Violence against children and youth is all too common. It is likely you have heard stories of people whose lives have been touched by violence: A child seriously injured at the hands of a parent. A teenager involved in an abusive dating relationship. A youth shot and killed after an argument with another teen etc.
The toll and nature of deaths due to violence against children and youth is staggering. Each year more than 1,500 children ages 5 to 17 die from child abuse and neglect; and about 80% of deaths occur among children younger than age 4.More than 5,000 young people ages 1 to 24 were murdered, making homicide the second leading cause of death for this age group. In most of the countries, adults are harming children. Children are abused or neglected. They live in angry and violent environments where there is substance abuse. It mostly happens in rural and isolated communities, in settlements and on reserves. The children may become fearful and anxious. They may believe the whole world is a dangerous place. They may become aggressive, lashing out, bullying others and eventually, they inturn may become violent lashing out frustration building inside them. They may become passive and very obedient, thinking they cannot change any part of their lives. They may lose energy and hope, and disconnect from the real world. They may have trouble learning, because so much of their brain is busy dealing with the stress of an abusive environment They may be at greater risk of growing up to be abusive to others, to be abused, or both.
If children continue to be exposed to violence and abuse, the trauma will continue to affect their brains and development. There is no question that some children grow up in homes where the adults are abusive and violent toward each other. In some of these homes, violence is directed against the children too, thus adding to their discomfiture and eventually making them fearful. They start getting afraid within themselves and also with anyone they see.
However, things are changing. There are some reasons for hope. As a society, we know much more than we used to about what helps children grow up to be strong and healthy. More people know that child abuse exists, and that it is harmful to children. Quite a lot of people are willing to notice that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Many people are reporting their concerns about a child or young person who may be in an abusive situation. Furthermore, I believe that the youth should take initiative in such things and more and more people should join hands to raise voice against this inhumane activity.
Thank you!
Writen by
Amna Ijaz.
The toll and nature of deaths due to violence against children and youth is staggering. Each year more than 1,500 children ages 5 to 17 die from child abuse and neglect; and about 80% of deaths occur among children younger than age 4.More than 5,000 young people ages 1 to 24 were murdered, making homicide the second leading cause of death for this age group. In most of the countries, adults are harming children. Children are abused or neglected. They live in angry and violent environments where there is substance abuse. It mostly happens in rural and isolated communities, in settlements and on reserves. The children may become fearful and anxious. They may believe the whole world is a dangerous place. They may become aggressive, lashing out, bullying others and eventually, they inturn may become violent lashing out frustration building inside them. They may become passive and very obedient, thinking they cannot change any part of their lives. They may lose energy and hope, and disconnect from the real world. They may have trouble learning, because so much of their brain is busy dealing with the stress of an abusive environment They may be at greater risk of growing up to be abusive to others, to be abused, or both.
If children continue to be exposed to violence and abuse, the trauma will continue to affect their brains and development. There is no question that some children grow up in homes where the adults are abusive and violent toward each other. In some of these homes, violence is directed against the children too, thus adding to their discomfiture and eventually making them fearful. They start getting afraid within themselves and also with anyone they see.
However, things are changing. There are some reasons for hope. As a society, we know much more than we used to about what helps children grow up to be strong and healthy. More people know that child abuse exists, and that it is harmful to children. Quite a lot of people are willing to notice that a child may be at risk of abuse or neglect. Many people are reporting their concerns about a child or young person who may be in an abusive situation. Furthermore, I believe that the youth should take initiative in such things and more and more people should join hands to raise voice against this inhumane activity.
Thank you!
Writen by
Amna Ijaz.
Pakistan
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