Family Violence and Child Abuse in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Cases of Colombia and Mexico

Domestic or family violence is, unfortunately, a common form of violence affecting the lives of victims and the development prospects of countries. It has been estimated that more than 6 million children suffer abuse and more than 80,000 die each year as result of it. This study supports this hypothesis with empirical evidence from large sample surveys in urban Colombia and Mexico City.The report analyzes the impact of child abuse on children’s educational outcomes and adult labor wages, using a human capital framework. It finds robust evidence of the impacts of child violence on school attendance and educational attainment in Colombia and on adult wages in Mexico City, and underscores the importance for economic and social development of better documenting family violence against children in the region