Protection of Children from Violence

Violence against children takes many forms, such as sexual exploitation and abuse, trafficking, physical and humiliating punishment, harmful traditional practices (including early marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting) and recruitment into armed forces and groups. Violence against children takes place at home, in school, online, in institutions, at work, in the community, in armed conflict and in disasters. It affects children from all walks of life. It has a devastating long-term impact on children. Growing up with violence seriously affects a child's development, dignity, and physical and psychological integrity. And yet, in many countries a lot of violence against children remains legal and is viewed as socially acceptable. Save the Children works with children, girls and boys, alongside women and men, to change attitudes, knowledge and behaviour so that violence against children is no longer tolerated. Since violence against children can be exacerbated and extreme in conflict situations, we campaign and work to protect children in conflict.