Half of young adults in Spain report suffering violence in childhood, government survey finds – www.christiandaily.com

Report on Violence Against Children and Adolescents in Spain and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent government-commissioned survey in Spain has revealed high prevalence rates of violence against children and adolescents, identifying a significant societal issue that presents a direct challenge to the nation’s progress on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study, conducted by Sigma Dos for the Spanish Ministry of Youth and Children, provides the most comprehensive data to date on the subject and underscores the urgent need for policy intervention to protect minors and uphold international commitments to well-being, justice, and equality.

Key Findings from the National Survey

The survey, which interviewed 9,037 individuals aged 18 to 30, documented widespread exposure to violence during childhood and adolescence. The primary findings include:

• Psychological Violence: 48% of respondents reported suffering from psychological harm, including intimidation, control, and contempt.
• Physical Violence: 40.5% of respondents experienced physical violence.
• Sexual Violence: One in three respondents were victims of sexual violence.

Broader Context and Corroborating Data

The survey’s findings are consistent with other national data, which illustrate a growing and historically underreported crisis. This broader context reveals systemic challenges impacting child safety.

1. Rising Official Reports: The Unified Registry of Child Abuse (RUMI) recorded 21,521 notifications in a single year, marking a 37.18% increase from the previous year.
2. Long-Term Trends: An analysis of the period between 2009 and 2016 showed an average increase in reported violence of 299%, indicating a sustained escalation.
3. Severe Underreporting: Official statistics are considered bleak, with estimates suggesting that less than 15% of all violence against children is formally reported.
4. Institutional Abuse: A 2023 report commissioned by Spain’s Congress found that 0.6% of the adult population (over 200,000 people) had been sexually abused as children by Catholic clergy. This figure rises to 1.13% (over 400,000 people) when including abuse by lay people in Church-affiliated institutions.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The prevalence of violence against children in Spain directly undermines progress toward several critical SDGs. The findings highlight the need for targeted action to meet the 2030 Agenda commitments.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The data demonstrates a significant gap in achieving Target 16.2, which calls for an end to abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children. The “structural problem” described by officials points to a need for stronger institutional frameworks for child protection.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: With nearly half of young adults reporting psychological violence, there is a clear threat to Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being. The long-term consequences of such trauma represent a major public health concern.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: Evidence suggesting that females are more frequently victims of abuse aligns this issue with Target 5.2, which focuses on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. Addressing this violence is crucial for advancing gender equality.

Government Response and Policy Directives

In response to the survey, the Spanish government has acknowledged the severity of the issue and outlined initial steps for a policy-driven response aimed at improving child protection and monitoring progress in line with SDG targets.

• The Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego, classified the figures as “terrible” and affirmed that violence against minors is a public, governmental responsibility.
• A commitment was made to repeat the survey every two years. This biennial review will serve as a mechanism to evaluate the effectiveness of new policies and measure progress toward national and SDG-related child safety objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

   The article primarily addresses issues related to violence against children and young adults, which connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on health, equality, and justice.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The article’s focus on psychological, physical, and sexual violence directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being. The survey finding that “nearly half of young adults in Spain say they endured psychological violence” highlights the significant impact of abuse on mental health, which is a core component of SDG 3.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     The article touches upon the gendered nature of abuse by citing a report that found “Abuse victims were more female than male.” This connects the issue to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, including the elimination of violence against them.

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire piece discusses violence against children, which is a primary concern of SDG 16. The government’s response, including commissioning a comprehensive survey and the Youth and Children Minister’s pledge to make this a “government matter,” reflects the goal’s emphasis on building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions to protect citizens, especially the most vulnerable.

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

   The article’s details allow for the identification of specific targets under the aforementioned SDGs.

   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

     This target aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The survey’s finding that 48% of respondents suffered psychological harm (including intimidation, control, and contempt) directly aligns with the need to address and promote mental health for those affected by childhood trauma.

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls

     This target calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres. The article’s mention that “Abuse victims were more female than male” points directly to this target, indicating a gender disparity in the prevalence of violence against children.

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

     This is the most explicit target addressed. The article is entirely focused on this issue, detailing the prevalence of psychological (48%), physical (40.5%), and sexual (one in three) violence against children and adolescents in Spain. The government survey and other cited reports are efforts to understand and combat this exact problem.

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

   Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

   • Indicators for Target 16.2 and 3.4

     The government-backed survey provides several direct indicators:

     • The proportion of young adults (aged 18-30) who report experiencing psychological violence during childhood (currently 48%).
     • The proportion of young adults who report experiencing physical violence during childhood (currently 40.5%).
     • The proportion of young adults who report experiencing sexual violence during childhood (currently one in three).

     The minister’s pledge to repeat the survey “every two years to see if policies to stop the issue are working” establishes this survey as a formal mechanism for monitoring these indicators over time.

   • Indicators for Target 16.2

     Data from official registries serve as another key indicator:

     • The number of notifications of child abuse recorded in the Unified Registry of Child Abuse (RUMI). The article cites this figure as 21,521, noting a 37.18% increase from the previous year. Tracking this number annually would measure reporting rates and potentially the prevalence of abuse.
     • The estimated percentage of unreported violence against children (currently estimated that less than 15% is reported). Changes in this estimate could indicate progress in reporting and justice systems.

   • Indicator for Target 5.2

     The gender breakdown of abuse victims is a specific indicator:

     • The proportion of female versus male victims of abuse. The article states victims were “more female than male,” and tracking this ratio over time would measure progress towards reducing gender-based violence.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.	Proportion of young adults reporting physical violence in childhood (40.5%). Proportion of young adults reporting sexual violence in childhood (one in three). Number of child abuse notifications in the Unified Registry of Child Abuse (RUMI) (21,521). Percentage increase in reported cases (37.18% increase).
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.	Proportion of young adults reporting psychological violence (intimidation, control, contempt) in childhood (48%).
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	Proportion of abuse victims by gender (reported as “more female than male”).

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