A joint statement signed by the board of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children is calling for urgent protection of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.“Efforts to contain the coronavirus are vital to the health of the world’s population, but they are also exposing children to increased risk of violence – including maltreatment, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation,” the statement reads. “As leaders of organisations committed to ending violence against children, we come together in solidarity to share our deep concern, call for action and pledge our support to protect children from violence and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on children in every country and community.”
Over 1.5 billion children are now out of school. “Movement restrictions, loss of income, isolation, overcrowding and high levels of stress and anxiety are increasing the likelihood that children experience and observe physical, psychological and sexual abuse at home – particularly those children already living in violent or dysfunctional family situations,” reads the text. “And while online communities have become central to maintain many children’s learning, support and play, it is also increasing their exposure to cyberbullying, risky online behavior and sexual exploitation.”
The situation is aggravated by children’s lack of access to school friends, teachers, social workers and the safe space and services that schools provide, the statement points out.
“The most vulnerable children – including refugees, migrants, and children who are internally displaced, deprived of liberty, living without parental care, living on the street and in urban slums, with disabilities, and living in conflict-affected areas – are a particular concern,” reads the statement. “For many, growing economic vulnerability will increase the threat of child labour, child marriage and child trafficking.”
The statement calls on governments, the international community and leaders in every sector to urgently respond with a united effort to protect children from the heightened risk of violence and abuse.
“Governments have a central role to play,” the statement reads. “Working with and supporting governments, our collective response must include: maintaining essential health and social welfare services, including mental health and psychosocial support; providing child protection case management and emergency alternative care arrangements; ensuring social protection for the most vulnerable children and households; continuing care and protection for children in institutions; and communicating with and engaging parents, caregivers and children themselves with evidence-based information and advice.”
Since 2016 the outgoing World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has been part of the board of directors of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children.
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, from the [Lutheran] Church of Norway.
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