Thematic Report; The Ethical Imperative to End Violence Against Children

1. Recognize that violence against children takes many different forms in many different settings and regions, including:

• Violence in schools (including corporal punishment, bullying among children)
• Domestic violence
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Issues related to reproductive health including female genital mutilation
• Violence related to youth gangs
• Abuse of children in war zones, children used as solders
• Female feticide and infanticide
• Violence due to religious beliefs
• Drug abuse among youth

2. Efforts to address violence against children must take into account diverse structural factors that perpetuate violence, including structural violence in the Galtunian sense, poverty and other economic factors, political factors such as inadequate policy, apathy of responsible authorities and state institutions. (Note, however, that factors like poverty should never be used to justify violent practices in schools or homes.) To address these structural factors leading to violence against children, the world’s major powers must be strongly urged to adopt and practice fair policies in their dealings with other parts of the world. In addition, governments must be held responsible for violence against children in schools.

3. Recognize that violence against children is often deeply rooted in cultural practices and beliefs. For instance, physical punishment is often seen both by parents and teachers as a natural requirement for disciplining children. Sometimes children are even abused with religious justification. In many cultures, the child is seen as an object but not as a subject of rights. We must ensure children’s participation in solving problems related to violence. Governments and communities must be held jointly accountable for addressing the cultural roots of violence against children.

4. Violence against children is closely related to power and division in society. “Social fault lines” (caste, class, gender, etc.) are behind all kinds of injustice, including violence. On the other hand, differences among humans are natural and do not in and of themselves lead to structural violence. Rather, natural differences (gender, generational, cultural, etc.) are utilized by those in power to create hierarchical categories and perpetuate injustice. Children are usually at the bottom of the power structure, therefore most susceptible to violence. “Tolerance” of cultural and religious differences is not enough. Division and unequal power must be actively confronted and a culture that celebrates differences be promoted.

5. The emergence of ethno-religious exclusivist ideologies in the conflict regions of the world should be seen as an overall threat to the well being of children. The minds of children can be poisoned easily through indoctrination with extremist ideologies. Children then become victims of these ideologies.

6. Media is functioning as a vehicle and reproduction center for the culture of violence. People of faith must cooperate to counter this trend.

7. Religions have been and are being used by many forces to justify violence. Economic and political conflicts are often portrayed as religious conflicts. Religious leaders must exercise their moral influence boldly to put an end to this misuse of religion.

8. Attention must be given to the rights of the unborn.

9. All of the factors listed above contribute to violence, but it must be recognized that this is not an exhaustive list.