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Sexual violence and abuse
Sexual violence occurs everywhere in society – in the home, in communities, in schools and work places, in public spheres and in institutions.
Sexual violence is commonly understood as one or several of the following actions: rape, incest, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, forced prostitution, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual slavery, child abuse images, grooming for sexual purposes and trafficking for sexual exploitation. Also child marriage goes under this definition. Sexual violence is a form of gender-based violence which refers to violence that targets individuals or groups on the basis of their gender. It has been widely acknowledged that the majority of persons affected by gender-based violence are women and girls.
Sexual violence and gender-based violence has also become very common in conflicts and emergencies like natural disasters and their aftermath. It is perpetrated against girls and boys when there is no rule of law and is exacerbated by a culture of impunity. In some cases, sexual violence has been used as a tactic of war designed to humiliate and exterminate a whole population or ethnic group, force them to displace or simply to destroy their social fabric. Unfortunately, sexual violence and abuse is also quite common after the major crisis is finished. When in relief camps it is easy for people to abuse their power and ask for sexual favours in exchange for basic necessities.
The effects of sexual abuse are devastating. Survivors are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, psychological trauma, to the spread of HIV and AIDS, and other diseases. It can tear families and communities apart and increase maternal and child mortality rates. Girls and boys who report sexual violence are often not listened to or are even blamed for the violence they experience. Though the majority of children affected are girls, boys are also sexually abused and exploited. Girls and boys are more vulnerable to sexual violence due to gender discrimination, traditional cultural practices, perceptions of masculinity, and unequal power relations between adults and children.
Children face sexual exploitation by people who have an emotional or professional relationship with the child and who exploit their position of trust and power. Children are also sexually exploited by abusers or third parties with commercial or other exploitative interests.
In ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child, states have committed themselves to protecting all children under the age of 18 from all forms of sexual violence.
Save the Children’s work to end sexual violence includes provision of age and gender-sensitive response services for girls and boys, advocacy work addressing national laws and policies, promoting online safety and prevent child marriages and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM). Since gender norms perpetuates sexual and gender based violence it is important to challenge these, and to work separately with boys and men, alongside girls and women.
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Which protection for children involved in mobility in West Africa
Summary translation of of the report "Quelle protection pour les enfants concernés par la mobilité en Afrique de l’Ouest?", which analyses the mobility of youth and children in West and Central Africa. The publication documents a two year research project
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Protect my future: The links between child protection and equity
This paper, commissioned by Family for Every Child and written by Andy West and Emily Delap is part of an inter-agency series on the links between child protection and major development goals. This series is contributing to a global inter-agency campaign
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EU Kids online- Towards a better internet for children
New report by the EU Kids Online Network on the online safety of children following last year's report 'Risks and Safety on the Internet'. The current report presents new findings and further analysis of the EU Kids Online survey of 9-16 year olds and the
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Double Violence Against Undocumented Women- Protecting Rights and Ensuring Justice
To promote an end to violence against women, this report provides a practical overview of methods that protect rights and ensure justice for survivors regardless of their immigration status. Across Europe, undocumented women are turned away from women’s s
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Hidden Violence: Preventing and responding to sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of adolescent boys: Case Studies and Directions for Action
This document provides a literature review on the issue of sexual exploitation of adolescent boys. National-level surveys have shown that boys experience sexual violence and sexual exploitation at rates lower than girls – but at rates that deserve greater
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Protecting Children from Violence: A Synthesis of Evaluation Findings. Evaluation Report UNICEF
This meta-synthesis provides an evidence-base for guiding effective advocacy and programming for protecting children against violence, as outlined in the Terms of Reference. This report is based on a review of findings of 52 evaluations commissioned by va
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Reporte Internacional Anual 2012 sobre la Infancia en la Guerra: Los Dos Congos de la Guerra
The International Annual Report 2012 on Children affected by war has been published on the occasion of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers (12th February), and the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Optional Protocol on
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No one to trust- Children and Armed Conflict in Colombia
Colombia’s civilians have been pulled into a decades-long civil war among the government’s forces, paramilitary groups and their successors, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the People’s Liberation Army (ELN). During the conflict, gi
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Child Centred Accountability and Protection Evaluation (CAPE) Guide for Involving Young People in Monitoring & Evaluating Child Protection Systems
This Guide draws on the work of the International Institute for Child Rights and Develop-ment (IICRD) and partners from around the globe to develop practical tools and processes to work with children and young people in planning, monitoring and evaluating
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Toolkit on “Children and Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights”: Activities Guide for children age 10-13 [Arabic]
'Protecting Adolescents from Gender Based Violence through the Promotion of their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights’ is a three-year project launched by Save the Children aimed to raise awareness and enhance protection of children and adolescents (10-
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Toolkit on “Children and Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights”: User Guide [Arabic]
'Protecting Adolescents from Gender Based Violence through the Promotion of their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights’ is a three-year project launched by Save the Children aimed to raise awareness and enhance protection of children and adolescents (10-
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Child sexual abuse: The Lebanese situation
The study examines child sexual abuse in Lebanon by assessing the magnitude of the problem, identifying its predisposing factors and drawing a profile of children who may be at risk of victimisation. It also explores the effect of the July 2006 war on the