Data Brief on Violence against Children at Home – ReliefWeb

Report on Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

A recent UNICEF data analysis reveals that approximately 610 million children globally, or one in four, live with mothers who are experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). This widespread issue presents a significant obstacle to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Global and Regional Prevalence: A Challenge to SDG 5 and SDG 10

The findings underscore a global crisis that directly contravenes SDG Target 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The data also highlights profound regional disparities, challenging the objective of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Regional Analysis of Children’s Exposure to IPV

• Oceania: Over 50% of children (3 million) are exposed, representing the highest regional prevalence.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: 32% of children (187 million) are exposed.
• Central and Southern Asia: 29% of children (201 million) are exposed, accounting for the largest absolute number globally.
• Northern Africa and Western Asia: 26% of children (52 million) are exposed.
• Eastern and South-Eastern Asia: 21% of children (105 million) are exposed.
• Latin America and the Caribbean: 19% of children (35 million) are exposed.
• Europe and Northern America: 13% of children (28 million) are exposed.
• Australia and New Zealand: 5% of children (approximately 400,000) are exposed.

Impact on Child Development and Progress Towards SDGs

Exposure to IPV has severe consequences for children, directly impeding progress on several key SDGs. The violence not only harms the well-being of women but also jeopardizes the health, safety, and educational outcomes of their children.

Undermining SDG 3, SDG 4, and SDG 16

The analysis indicates that violence in the home significantly impacts a child’s sense of safety, health, and ability to learn, thereby undermining SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education). Furthermore, children growing up in these environments are more likely to experience direct physical or psychological aggression. This exposure increases the risk of perpetuating a cycle of violence into adulthood, which directly conflicts with the aims of SDG Target 16.2 to end all forms of violence against children.

Strategic Recommendations to Advance the 2030 Agenda

To address this crisis and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, UNICEF calls for targeted investment in proven solutions that protect both women and children. The following actions are critical for achieving SDG 5 and SDG 16.

1. Implement Coordinated Strategies: Invest in and expand integrated strategies that simultaneously reduce violence against women and violence against children, thereby addressing SDG 5.2 and SDG 16.2 concurrently. Support for women and girl-led organizations is essential.
2. Expand Survivor-Centred Services: Increase the availability of comprehensive services to ensure women and children can access safety, care, and justice, which is fundamental to achieving SDG 3 and SDG 16.
3. Invest in Prevention Programmes: Fund and scale up prevention efforts, including parenting support and school-based programmes that promote gender equality and non-violence. This proactive approach is vital for the long-term success of SDG 4 and SDG 5.
4. Tackle Harmful Social Norms: Address the root causes of violence by challenging harmful social norms and gender inequality. Amplifying the voices of survivors and young people is crucial for fostering societal change in line with SDG 5 and SDG 10.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article’s central theme is intimate partner violence (IPV) against women, a direct violation of gender equality. It highlights how “pervasive inequalities and global patterns of abuse faced by women” lead to violence. The entire analysis focuses on the prevalence of women experiencing “physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by a partner.”
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • This goal aims to reduce all forms of violence. The article directly addresses this by discussing violence in the home, stating that “millions of women and children are living in homes where violence is a part of regular life.” It specifically covers violence against women and the subsequent violence against children, noting that children in these homes are “significantly more likely to be subjected to physical or psychological aggression themselves.”
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article connects violence to negative health outcomes. It states that violence “harms the health and well-being of women” and “significantly impacts their children’s sense of safety, health, and learning.” This addresses the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article links violence in the home to educational challenges, noting that it impacts children’s “learning.” Furthermore, UNICEF’s call to action includes investing in “school-based programmes that promote gender equality and non-violence,” which is a direct strategy for achieving quality education that fosters a culture of peace.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
   • The article is entirely focused on this target, providing data on “intimate partner violence” which is a form of violence against women in the private sphere. It quantifies the problem, stating “over 1 in 10 adolescent girls and women (aged 15 and older) have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.”
2. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • The article’s discussion of pervasive IPV against women and the resulting violence against children directly relates to the goal of reducing all forms of violence. The data on the high prevalence of violence in regions like Oceania (over half of children exposed) and Sub-Saharan Africa (32%) underscores the urgency of this target.
3. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • This target is explicitly addressed. The article reveals that “1 in 4 children – around 610 million – living with mothers who are experiencing intimate partner violence.” It further links this exposure to direct violence against children, mentioning data on “violent discipline” and the increased likelihood of children being “subjected to physical or psychological aggression themselves.”
4. Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote… gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence.
   • UNICEF’s recommendation to invest in “school-based programmes that promote gender equality and non-violence” is a direct strategy for implementing this target. This shows a clear connection between addressing the problem of violence and the educational solutions required.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
   • This indicator is directly cited in the article. The text states, “over 1 in 10 adolescent girls and women (aged 15 and older) have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner in the past 12 months.” The regional data provided for Oceania, Sub-Saharan Africa, and other areas are measures of this indicator.
2. Indicator 16.2.1: Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month.
   • This indicator is strongly implied. The article mentions that the analysis “also includes data on violent discipline” and that children in homes with IPV are “significantly more likely to be subjected to physical or psychological aggression themselves.” This points directly to the measurement of violent disciplinary practices against children by caregivers.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: reliefweb.int