May 2012 ~ Stop Violence in the Caribbean

Conference presentation - Day Two, May 15

PANEL ONE: Violent punishment of children in all settings of their lives

Prohibition of Corporal Punishment in Schools, The Belizean Experience

Conference presentation - Day One, May 14

PANEL ONE: Mapping on the implementation of the UNSVAC recommedations in The Caribbean

Follow up study on the implementation of recommendations 1, 2, and 11 of the United Nations Violence Against Children in the Caribbean:

A High Commitment in the Minds and Hearts of Participants

"I would like very much our participants in this Caribbean meeting to leave the conference with a very high commitment, in their minds and in their hearts, to go out and tell what the conference was about, and what was achieved, and to bring one particular commitment to be followed, immediately, in their own countries. And I would like very much that commitment to be the alliance that should be formed at the national level, with all stakeholders -- the parliamentarians, governmental officials, civil society and young people -- to develop an agenda identifying what are the major difficulties in the country and what are the opportunities so that each country in the Caribbean region becomes a society where violence has no place."

- Marta Santos Pais, Special Rep., Secretary Gen. on Violence against Children

No innocent bystanders: fighting child sexual abuse in the Caribbean

VOICES OF YOUTH

Kingston, Jamaica, 15 May 2012 – A nine-year old boy systematically raped by the pastor his mother left him with while she went to work, an 18-month old baby boy dying because his inner organs were destroyed when his uncle raped him, a little girl who was infected with HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes by an uncle who was in and out of prison.

Those are some of the cases which Dr Sandra Knight, a general practitioner who has worked with the pediatric hospital in Kingston for the past 10 years, has treated and which have tormented her and pushed her to take action and speak to the press. Dr. Knight’s account created uproar in Jamaica and an avalanche of front page stories on sexual abuse of children have followed. “I felt that my peers were becoming complacent about this issue,” says Dr. Knight. “But I felt I had a tsunami in front of me which was affecting me because I also have a 6 year old daughter. I saw these children dying, getting sick, being traumatized for life.”

Fighting child sexual abuse in the Caribbean

By Tamar Hahn
UNICEF JAMAICA

KINGSTON, Jamaica, 18 May 2012 – A nine-year old boy was systematically raped by his pastor while his mother was at work; an 18-month old baby boy died of internal damage after being raped by his uncle; a little girl was infected with gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and HIV by an uncle who was in and out of prison.

These are some of the cases Sandra Knight, a general practitioner at the paediatric hospital in Kingston, has treated over the years. The abuse tormented her, compelling her to speak out to the press. Dr. Knight’s accounts have created an uproar in the Eastern Caribbean, and an avalanche of front-page stories about child sexual abuse has followed.

'You could have done better'

JAMAICA OBSERVER

Children voice dissatisfaction with regional rights agencies

BY NADINE WILSON Observer staff reporter wilsonn@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

REGIONAL agencies tasked with safeguarding the interests of children came in for some harsh criticism Monday from three children's delegates, who chided them for not doing enough to protect their rights.

The three teenagers — one Jamaican and two Haitians — were very vocal in their representation of children in the region during the first day of a two-day sub-regional meeting for follow-up to the UN study on Violence Against Children at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.

"To you, representatives of States under the umbrella of Caricom (Caribbean Community) and the United Nations, you promised us to eradicate violence, not to reduce it. We recognise there are efforts being made, but we want to be honest with you, we think you could have done better," said a diminutive Fabienne Jean-Polite in Haitian Creole.

Violence in schools

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Violence in Schools in Latin America and the Caribbean: Surface and Depth

Introduction

For most boys and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean, school represents the environment in which they spend the great majority of time in their everyday lives. The school’s general role is to educate, nourish and protect its students. In the region, however, schools are dramatically failing in this sense and violence plays an ominous role in this context: The practice of corporal punishment is still present, as is emotional mistreatment and sexual abuse on the part of teachers, both male and female. There is also a growing tendency of peer harassment – aggravated by the use of the Internet—and some studies carried out in the region’s countries tell of student aggression (especially male) against teachers and other education authorities. Parents have also been found to be involved in this type of violence.

Children's Declaration presented at the Sub-Regional Meeting for Follow-up to the UN Study on Violence against Children in the Caribbean - Jamaica

Jamaica, 05/15/2012
http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org

"Today, we the delegates present to you our declaration first because we would like to think of it as strategy to get you to listen to what we have to say before you formulate the plans you have for us. This would further concrete the reason as to why you are here to first ask us what we think as opposed to you planning and deciding and then asking. Therefore we would like to present our points and hope that our voices won’t be left in this conference room.

The Caribbean community, uniting to hear our voice and our views on the issues that are affecting us, is deemed a remarkable effort in bringing forth greatness to the region. However, hearing the voice of all children who are severely affected through the cruel acts of abuse is being hindered. We are here today, as a united force that stands up for ourselves and other children who are being neglected and exploited and mistreated through unjustifiable reasons. The children that have become an outcast within our society are robbed of their true self-worth, dignity and pride. They need to be guided on a path that is healthy and nurturing, therefore empowering them and ensuring they have a sense of well-being. We need to ensure children are fully equipped, will all the resources they need so they do not stray to find those resources.

Album: CARIBBEAN MEETING--Follow up to the UN Study on Violence against children and adolescents

Photos by Fritz Djenald Israel- Enpak-Haiti

CARIBBEAN MEETING--Follow up to the UN Study on Violence, Photo by Fritz Djenald Israel- Enpak-Haiti

Children share their views on the caribbean subregional meeting for the follow up to the un study on violence against children

FACT SHEET: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND HIV

Sexual violence is a gross violation of children’s rights that occurs in every country in the world. In 2002, the Word Health Organization estimated that globally at least 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 years had experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence involving physical contact.[1] In several Caribbean countries, the first sexual experience of young girls is often forced; studies have shown that this was the case for 42.8% of girls below age 12.[2]

The true magnitude of sexual violence against girls and boys is unknown. Accurate data concerning child sexual abuse is difficult to collect due to differing legal definitions of abuse and issues of underreporting. It is estimated that less than 50% of all sexual assaults on children are reported to the police.[3] Although data in reports often varies, the figures are consistently alarming. An extensive study on child sexual abuse in the Caribbean stated that respondents presented a disturbing picture of an escalating social problem.[4]

A Systems Approach to Child Protection

A World Vision Discussion Paper

World Vision is committed to protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence, and has chosen to utilise a systems approach to strengthen the protective environment around children. This paper explains World Vision’s understanding of a systems approach to child protection, its concept of a child protection system and key implications for programming.

FINAL agenda Caribbean UNSVAC meeting

Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children

Marta Santos Pais

Marta Santos Pais was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children on May 1st, 2009, and took up her position on September 1st, 2009. She brings to this position more than 30 years experience on human rights issues, engagement in United Nations and intergovernmental processes and a firm commitment to the rights of the child.

Before her appointment, Marta Santos Pais was the Director of the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, a position she held since 2001. She joined UNICEF in 1997 as Director of Evaluation,

What do children think?, Children’s views on being cared for, protected and participating

A report published by World Vision International Advocacy & Justice for Children on children’s views to inform the World Vision partnership’s advocacy strategy for the care, protection and participation of children

Act now! Some highlights from children’s participation in the Regional Consultations for the United Nations Secretary-General’s study on Violence against Children

These are highlights from children's participation in the Regional Consultations for the United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence against Children. More that 260 children and young people participated in the nine regional consultations for the UN Study and expressed their views and was involved in decisions that can lead to concrete action. The Study and the national/regional consultations held around the world during 2005 provided a platform for effective and meaningful participation of girls and boys. Children and young people have a right to be partners and their experience and resources should be utilized. They participated in preparatory meetings prior to each of the regional consultations, thereby providing them with an opportunity to explore with peers the issues relating to violence and design the nature of their participation in the consultations that followed.

One step beyond - Advocacy handbook for young people and children

Advocacy handbook for young people and children by Save the Children's Global Task Group on Violence against Children. Understanding “advocacy” is a process that both adults and children alike learn more and more about every year. With each project new lessons are learned and it is always possible to take that “one step beyond”. This handbook can be used by advocacy experts and by people who do not know anything about advocacy, children and young people who have experience of advocacy or are taking action to create change, or want to create positive change but may have little or no experience in making a plan. The handbook is also aimed at adults who want to support children and young people in their advocacy work and who want to improve their own advocacy projects

What do children think?

Children´s views on being cared for, protected and participating

Equal you and Equal me

All parents want their children to grow up in a world free from discrimination and violence, to fulfill their dreams and feel that whatever they want to accomplish in life is possible. This book provides information on discrimination, why it happens and how it affects children. Through the pages of this book children aged 7 years and onwards can learn about the types of discrimination they may face in their day to day life and the many forms of discrimination faced by other children throughout the world. The book also gives children information about what children all over the world are doing to stop discrimination.

Safe you and Safe Me

This booklet is especially written for girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 12 years. It is a tool for children to learn more about protection and their rights, and is a contribution by Save the Children to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children. The booklet is not meant to equip children with personal safety skills but it can help children learn about types of violence faced by children throughout the world and give them some ideas on how they can protect themselves from violence. Older children, adolescents and grown-ups can also benefit from this book.

What is... the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

What is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

First, an overview to explain what is a ‘Convention’...

Conventions are legal agreements made by governments to protect girls, boys, women, men and also our planet. They highlight the promises governments have made on an issue (for example: to protect children and women’s rights) and they are part of international law.

What is... an Omnibus Resolution?

What is an Omnibus Resolution?

Before you understand exactly what an Omnibus Resolution is, it will be useful to understand:

What is a “Resolution”?

A United Nations Resolution is like a ‘decision’ or ‘recommendation’ that is made by the countries that are part of the United Nations. For all different issues, matters and subjects, Resolutions are written and often put to a vote. If a country votes ‘yes’ for a resolution, they are saying that they agree with it.

What is... a Special Representative?

What is a Special Representative?

There are times, within the United Nations (or the world), that an issue or situation requires special attention. For example: countries that are affected by war or an issue like HIV/AIDS may require the UN to take special actions. In some cases, the Secretary General (or the head of the UN) may decide to appoint a ‘Special Representative’. Sometimes a Special Representative can also be appointed for a country situation or for a global theme.

What is... Children’s Participation?

What are Rights?

Every child has the same human rights. Some of your human rights have to do with the basic physical needs to stay alive. For example, you have the right to food, water, shelter and basic health care. Some of your human rights have to do with how other people treat you. You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Some of your rights have to do with your need to be cared for, to develop and to grow and be part of your communities. You have the right to an education, to express your own ideas and opinions, to information, protection and to participate in making decisions about issues that affect you. You also have the right to not be discriminated against because of who you are or where you come from.

What is... a Convention and a Treaty?

What is a Convention and a Treaty?

As explained in the ‘What is the United Nations?’ leaflet, the UN takes many actions to promote human rights, protect the environment, fight disease, reduce poverty and more. The UN is a key place for governments/states to meet, talk about issues and make agreements about what needs to happen. Often, these ‘agreements’ or promises are documented in ‘Treaties and Conventions’.

What is... the Human Rights Council?

What is the Human Rights Council?

The Human Rights Council (or the ‘Council’ for short) is part of the United Nations and is in charge of promoting and protecting human rights around the world. The Council exists to:

• Prevent discrimination and abuses
• Find ways to deal with discrimination and abuses when they happen
• Protect the people who are most in danger and at risk of discrimination and abuse

What is... the Security Council?

First, we need to look at the United Nations (UN) and how it is structured... The UN is a huge international body made up of many different organs, programs, agencies and committees. There are six main organs of the United Nations:

What is... the UN General Assembly?

The UN General Assembly

First, we need to look at the United Nations (UN) and how it is structured...The UN is a huge international body made up of many different organs, programs, agencies and committees. We cannot go into the details of every group, but we can look at a general overview. There are six main organs of the United Nations:

What is... the United Nations?

What is the United Nations?

The United Nations (UN) is a way for all the countries of the world to discuss problems and deal with issues that affect them all. It has a key role in trying to maintain international peace and security but also addresses issues related to disaster relief, human rights, the environment, health, poverty and more.

Violence against Children in the Spotlight at Caribbean Meeting

KINGSTON, 9 May, 2012 – Caribbean leaders will converge at the Jamaica Conference Centre May 14-15, to discuss stepping up efforts to tackle the regional epidemic of violence against children.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, and Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture the Hon. Lisa Hanna, are among 150 delegates from CARICOM Member-States, civil society groups and adolescents who will participate in the meeting.

FACT SHEET: VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN THE CARIBBEAN*

Violence against children and adolescents happens everywhere around the world, in homes, schools, other institutions, at work and on the streets. The Caribbean ranks as one of the most violent regions in the world; it has one of the highest murder rates in the world (at 30 per 100,000 persons annually).[1] A study from the English-speaking Caribbean countries showed that one sixth of school-going adolescents had been physically abused, mainly by an adult at home; [2] 6 million children in Latin America and the Caribbean suffer severe abuse, including abandonment, and that 80,000 children under 18 years die each year of parental abuse.[3] In many Caribbean countries, corporal punishment is still a common disciplinary practice in homes and schools.[4]

Violence against children is usually committed by people they know. Most perpetrators of violent acts against boys and girls are members of their families, caregivers, classmates, teachers and employers. In the Caribbean, studies have shown that 50% of the perpetrators live with the victim; 75% of them have a direct relationship with the victim. ^{^[5]}

The Teddy Bear Campaign

Sexual Violence—A Gross Violation of Children’s rights

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called child sexual abuse “a silent emergency”. While most abuse is hidden---the numbers do not reflect the actual magnitude of the problem----what we know is worldwide an estimated 150 million girls and 73 million boys under 18 experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual violence (WHO; 2002). In the Caribbean, 47.6% of girls and 31.9% of boys reported that their first intercourse was forced or coerced by family members or family acquaintances (WHO; 2000). In Jamaica, the Ministry of Health reported that over 33 per cent of girls and 18 per cent of boys aged 10-15 did not consent to their first sexual encounter (UNICEF 2011). Sexual abuse happens everywhere---at home, school, and in other institutions and has a serious impact, not only on girls and boys, but also on the fabric of society. It increases risks of psychological distress, stigma, discrimination, early pregnancy, HIV, HPV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Multi-Country Consultation on Reducing the Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Children and Their Communities – What Works?

The impact of small arms on children and adolescents in Central American and the Caribbean

The impact of small arms on children and adolescents in Central American and the Caribbean: A case of study of El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago

Report on citizen security and human rights

REPORT ON CITIZEN SECURITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Report on corporal punishment and human rights of children and adolescents

Juvenile justice and human rights in the Americas

Juvenile justice and human rights in the Americas
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Eliminating violence against children, Handbook for parliamentarians

Violence against children knows no boundaries. Violence cuts across race, class, religion and culture. In every country of the world there are children who continue to fear and experience violence. No country or region is immune

Our Right to Be Protected from Violence

The Secretariat of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children would like to thank the International Save the Children Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Organisation of the Scout Movement for their support and involvement in the development of these materials.

United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children Adapted for Children and Young People

This report tells you what happened in the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children

Rapport de l’expert indépendant chargé de l’étude des Nations Unies sur la violence à l’encontre des enfants

Le présent rapport, fondé sur une étude approfondie effectuée par M. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, l’expert indépendant nommé par le Secrétaire général conformément à la résolution 57/90 de 2002 de l’Assemblée générale, présente un état global de la violence à l’encontre des enfants et propose des recommandations sur la manière de prévenir et de combattre ce problème. Il fournit des informations sur la fréquence des divers types de violence subis par les enfants au sein de la famille, à l’école, dans les établissements de soins non conventionnels et les centres de détention, sur le lieu de travail et au sein des collectivités

Report of the independent expert for the United Nations study on violence against children

This report, which is based on the in-depth study of Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, independent expert appointed by the Secretary-General pursuant to GeneralAssembly resolution 57/90 of 2002, provides a global picture of violence against children and proposes recommendations to prevent and respond to this issue. It provides information on the incidence of various types of violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities.

An end to violence against children

The full range and scale of all forms of violence against children are only now becoming visible, as is the evidence of the harm it does.

This book documents the outcomes and recommendations of the process of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children.

Violence against children in the Caribbean Region Regional Assessment

Worldwide, there has been increasing concern regarding levels of violence generally and in particular the effects of violence on children, our most vulnerable citizens.

World report on violence against children

The World Report on Violence against Children has benefited from the support of many institutions and friends. I acknowledge with thanks the many organisations, experts, authors, peer reviewers, advisers, consultants, volunteers, interns and the Study Secretariat, whose commitment and dedication have made this book possible.

The State of the World's Children 2011

Today's youth faces an increasingly uncertain world where climate change, rapid urbanization, the economic recession and rising unemployment pose unprecedented challenges. There are 1.2 billion adolescents across the world, nine out of ten of these young people live in developing countries.

UN Study on Violence Against Children

The United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children has been a global effort to paint a detailed picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and to propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and respond to it.

CARIBBEAN MEETING--Follow up to the UN Study on Violence against children and adolescents.

Introduction

Violence against children takes many forms and seriously affects the well-being and development of children and adolescents. Such violence occurs in different spheres of children’s lives: in the home, in schools, in the community, in institutions, during migration and others.

The nature, causes and effects of violence against children were documented in the United Nations Study on Violence against Children (UNVAC), which was presented to the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) in 2006. The UNVAC Study included 12 general recommendations to be implemented to prevent and respond to violence against children, as well as a number of specific recommendations to be applied to the different spheres where children suffer from violence.

The Latin American and the Caribbean Chaptyer of the Global Movement for Children (GMC-CLAC) consists of various institutions that promote, protect and defend children and adolescent rights, including UNICEF, the Inter-America Children's Institute and works in close collaboration with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais.

The following agencies are members of the GMC-CLAC:

The Christian Association of Youth (YMCA International)

Latin American and Caribbean Network for the Defense of Children's and Adolescent's Rights (REDLAMYC)

Defense of Children International (DCI)

The Inter-American Children's Institute of the OAS

Plan International

RED ANDI (Network of news agencies for children's rights)

Save the Children

UNICEF

Child Fund International

World Vision International

SOS Children's Villages International