Violence

Violence against children is no longer tolerated.

Violence takes many forms, including physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, and neglect or deliberate deprivation.  

• One in six children grow up in a conflict zone.
• Three-quarters of all children grow up with some kind of violence.
• 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children.
• 8 million adolescent girls aged 15–19 have experienced sexual abuse.
• Nearly 720 million school-age children have no legal protection from corporal punishment at school.

Children living in conflict or emergency situations, such as natural disasters or major pandemics are even more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and violence. Children living in conflict face the threat of being killed or maimed, falling victim to sexual violence, and being recruited as child soldiers. In many cases, children are specifically targeted.

Growing up with violence, and the threat of violence, can lead to life-long physical, emotional and mental health problems. Many don’t get the care they need, or are abandoned or trafficked. Others are forced to work or marry far too young; to fight in wars, or to flee from one. Very few get the help they need to recover and increasing conflict and the impacts of climate change are making things worse.  

We know that only bold, determined action will break this cycle. By pushing for strong local and national child protection systems, backed up by solid government investment, we are safeguarding children’s right to live free from violence. The benefits will be felt by generations to come – worldwide. 

Our child protection teams are working to keep children safe around the world regardless of who they are or where they are from.  We work with children, their communities and our partners to protect children, especially girls and those in conflict situations, from physical and emotional violence, online and offline, and support survivors to grow into healthy, nurturing adults.

We help children who are moving across borders, living on the streets or in refugee camps, girls who are forced into child marriages, or young boys and girls who are forced into dangerous working conditions or recruited as child soldiers.

We work with families and communities to promote positive social norms and behaviours to help prevent violence against children. We’re influencing governments to invest in robust national systems and laws to protect children, including a qualified social welfare workforce to support families. We’re innovating in partnership with children to push governments and companies to create a safe digital world for children and their families.

We’re keeping children safe in emergencies and conflicts, speaking out alongside them and holding anyone who abuses their rights accountable. When children experience trauma, we work to ensure they receive the care, rehabilitation and psychosocial support they need to be children again.

Simon*, 13, lived with his family in Khartoum before the fighting broke out in Sudan. Simon was scared of the sound of guns and many people fleeing the conflict in Sudan. One day, when Simon was out in the neighbourhood, armed men destroyed most of the houses and people were fleeing the area. For his safety, Simon decided to escape with those fleeing the conflict without his parents or family members. After one week, Simon* found himself in a city in White Nile state among many other people fleeing the conflict.

Without his parents or family, Simon* was worried. He decided to stay in the city where he was in White Nile state, hoping that his family might come and collect him. Simon* continued to travel among others fleeing the Sudan conflict and arrived at Joda border point between Sudan and South Sudan. Simon*’s family were also worried that he left home alone in Sudan and was nowhere to be seen.

Luckily, Simon* was identified by International Organization for Migration (IOM) as an unaccompanied minor. IOM referred him to Save the Children to trace his family or parent’s whereabouts. Save the Children then worked with partners to trace Simon*’s Relatives in South Sudan and reunified him with his family.

Simon* is now home with his family in Juba after spending more than three months apart. With the help of our supporters, children like Simon can be reunified with their families when conflict escalates. 

Find out how we are working to ensure all 
children are surviving and learning.