More than 1 billion children are affected by some type of violence each year.

Violence is the world’s worst crime against children. It happens in every country, city and community. Violence is a thief; physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect and exploitation rob children of their future, their dignity, human rights and God-given potential.

World Vision is relentlessly advocating for an end to violence against children; highlighting it when it occurs and holding those responsible to account. We work to prevent violence wherever it occurs so no child has to experience it. We are working with survivors, strengthening the systems and services available to them to ensure they have the chance to heal and recover. We will amplify their stories and voices.

Ending violence against children

In this series of podcasts, Young Leader Ellen Butler explores the issue of violence against children with a range of guests from experts in the field to young people themselves. Join us in finding out more about the issue and what it takes to end violence against children. This series has been produced with the support of Irish Aid.

Episode 1: What is violence against children?

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In this episode Ellen speaks with child activist, Dola, from Bangladesh; World Vision’s Senior Policy Advisor for Ending Violence Against Children, Tamara Tutnjevic; Protection Officer with World Vision South Sudan, Anthony Ackech and Programmes Director of World Vision Ireland, Maurice Sadlier. Together they discuss what is takes to end violence against children and why child protection needs to be a top priority.

Episode 2: Girls at Risk

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Globally, more than 650 million women alive today were married before the age of 18 and an estimated 5.6 million girls under the age of 18 became child brides. In this episode, Ellen speaks with Stella Nkrumah-Ababio, West Africa Regional Advocacy Campaigns and Safeguarding Advisor in World Vision, Siobhan Foran, an Independent Consultant on Gender Based Violence (GBV), and Exildah, a young activist from Zambia, about Girls at Risk and why #ItTakesAnIsland to #EndViolenceAgainstGirls.

Episode 3: Children on the Move

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An estimated 535 million children, a quarter of the world's children, live in countries affected by conflict or disasters. Every day, 37,000 people are forced to flee their homes, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.

This episode delves deeper into the consequences of conflict, Covid-19 and climate change on child protection. Listen as Ellen leads an insightful conversation between Alexandra Matei, Advocacy & Communications Director World Vision Syria Response, and Lavenda Ondere, Technical Specialist - Natural Resource Management World Vision Kenya.

Episode 4: The Role of Faith

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Faith plays a vital role in our world. More than 85 per cent of the world is religious and faith leaders are the most trusted in many places. In this final episode, hosted by Ellen, Dr. Kathryn Kraft, Senior Research Advisor for Faith and Development – World Vision International, shares the results of the research conducted by World Vision to gauge the impact of engaging local faith communities to end violence against children, and Obedi Byamugisha, Technical Programme Manager Child Protection - World Vision Uganda, shares experience from his work on child protection in Uganda.

How we're ending violence against children

Young girl holds hand in front of her face

Ending Girls at Risk

Worldwide, up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed on girls younger than 16. Almost a quarter of all trafficking victims around the world are girls, and the majority of them are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

More than 650 million women alive today were married before the age of 18. In 2016, an estimated 5.6 million girls under the age of 18 became child brides.

Child marriage compromises a child’s development and severely limits her or his opportunities in life.

Supported, by Irish Aid, our Humanitarian Programme Plan improves children’s access to education and promotes children’s rights, protecting them from child marriage. We provide child survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse with shelter and help them heal and return to family and community life. We also train police personnel to address sexual crimes against children. We work with children, faith actors, media and the general population to challenge the social norms that condone sexual violence against children and against girls in particular.

Children on the Move

An estimated 535 million children, a quarter of the world's children, live in countries affected by conflict or disasters. Every day, 37,000 people are forced to flee their homes, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.

Conflict can devastate children’s lives. As well as being forced to leave behind everything they know, children may be left orphaned, separated from their families, find themselves caring for young siblings and left open to forced labour, sexual exploitation or recruitment into armed groups

Supported, by Irish Aid, our Humanitarian Programme Plan supports displaced children through Child Friendly Spaces and Early Childhood Development Centres. Trained volunteers in these spaces provide children with a safe place to play, to participate in activities and to access education. Youth are also supported with life skills training on peacebuilding and transformation, conflict management, leadership, communication, coexistence, and solidarity.

Young women hiding her faces in her hands

The Role of Faith

Faith plays a vital role in our world. More than 85 per cent of the world is religious and faith leaders are the most trusted in many places. We work with people of all faiths and none, because we cannot achieve our mission on our own; we seek to collaborate with a wide spectrum of partners, supporters and others to transform the lives of children, families and communities.

Through World Vision’s Channels of Hope (CoH) approach, we create a safe space for faith leaders and faith communities from various denominations and/or religions to learn, share and debate challenging issues related to violence against children. The approach seeks to address the root causes that maintain harmful attitudes, norms and values. CoH motivates and equips faith communities to respond in meaningful ways to prevent and respond to violence against children, including addressing sociocultural norms and attitudes that drive violence; prompting peace and overcoming violence.