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.
Parliaments and their members can be among the foremost champions of
child protection. They can legislate, oversee government activity, the allocation
of fi nancial resources, and, as leaders in their nations and communities, raise
awareness of issues. Perhaps most importantly, they can advocate within their
constituencies for an end to violence. They can challenge attitudes and beliefs
that treat violence against children as inevitable or harmless. They can spread
the message that violence against children is preventable. They can mobilize
the political will required to put an end to such violence.
This handbook is designed to promote active and effective follow-up by
Parliaments and parliamentarians throughout the world to the recommendations
of the United Nations Secretary- General’s Study on Violence against Children.
This handbook uses, with permission, text from the report of the UN SecretaryGeneral’s
Study to the General Assembly and from the complementary World
Report on Violence against Children. The ultimate goal of this handbook is to
move States rapidly towards the elimination of all forms of violence against
children.
Children around the world continue to suffer violence, abuse and exploitation
every day. Parliamentarians can change this. This handbook will enable
Parliaments and their members to help create a world in which every child can
live in safety and dignity