Violence is a normal part of life for many young children: study traces the mental health impacts – The Conversation

Report on the Impact of Early Childhood Violence Exposure on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Barrier to Sustainable Development

Exposure to violence in early childhood represents a significant public health challenge and a formidable barrier to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This report analyzes the profound impact of violence on the cognitive and emotional health of young children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The findings underscore an urgent need for multi-level interventions to protect children and advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Research Scope and Methodology

To address critical gaps in understanding the effects of violence during early childhood (birth to 8 years), this report synthesizes findings from two primary research efforts:

1. A systematic review of 17 published studies, encompassing 27,643 children from 20 LMICs.
2. New data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study of nearly 1,000 children in a peri-urban South African community.

This research focuses on the preschool years, a critical period for development, to provide evidence for early interventions that can prevent lifelong consequences and support the achievement of the SDGs.

Key Findings: Violence as a Detriment to SDG Attainment

Prevalence of Violence Exposure

The research reveals that violence exposure is a normative experience for a majority of children in the studied contexts, directly undermining the objectives of SDG 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children).

• The systematic review found that over 70% of studies reported poor cognitive outcomes associated with maltreatment, intimate partner violence, and war.
• In the South African cohort, 83% of children were exposed to some form of violence by age 4.5.
• Specific exposures in the South African cohort included:
  • Witnessing community violence: 74%
  • Witnessing domestic violence: 32%
  • Direct victimization in the community: 13%
  • Direct victimization at home: 31%
• Nearly half (45%) of the children experienced more than one type of violence, compounding the negative effects.

Impact on Mental Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The data demonstrates a clear link between violence exposure and poor mental health outcomes, directly challenging progress towards SDG 3.4 (Promote mental health and well-being).

• Preschool children exposed to more violence exhibited higher levels of both internalizing symptoms (anxiety, fear, sadness) and externalizing symptoms (aggression, hyperactivity).
• Experiencing violence within the home and witnessing it in the community were particularly detrimental.
• Children exposed to multiple forms of violence, such as both domestic and community violence, were at the highest risk of developing mental health difficulties. These early challenges can disrupt developmental pathways, impacting future learning and well-being, which is crucial for SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Recommendations for a Multi-Sectoral Response to Advance the SDGs

The widespread nature of this issue necessitates a population-level response that integrates child protection into broader development strategies. The following actions are recommended to mitigate the impact of violence and accelerate progress towards the SDGs:

1. Early Identification and Intervention: To support SDG 3, health and community services must routinely screen for violence exposure during early childhood health visits to enable timely support.
2. Family and Caregiver Support: Interventions that reduce domestic violence (SDG 5.2), strengthen parenting skills, and provide mental health support are critical for creating safe home environments that foster healthy child development.
3. Promote Safe and Peaceful Communities (SDG 16): Violence prevention efforts, safer neighbourhood initiatives, and policing reforms must be explicitly linked with child mental health strategies in national policies to create secure environments for children to thrive.
4. Policy Prioritization for Early Childhood: Governments and non-governmental organizations must embed early violence prevention and child mental health promotion into national health (SDG 3) and education (SDG 4) frameworks.
5. Data Monitoring and Evaluation: Improving data collection on violence against children is essential for tracking progress towards SDG 16.2, evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, and refining strategies accordingly.

Conclusion

Violence exposure in early childhood is a pervasive crisis in many LMICs with demonstrable negative effects on mental health, well-being, and cognitive development. These impacts emerge early, are compounded by multiple exposures, and present a significant obstacle to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. A coordinated, multi-sectoral response focusing on prevention, early intervention, and systemic support for families and communities is essential to protect children and build a safer, more sustainable future for all.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article extensively discusses the negative impact of violence on children’s mental health. It states that “violence exposure and poor mental health can be seen even before a child is old enough to go to school” and that exposed children display “internalising symptoms, such as anxiety, fear, or sadness, and externalising symptoms, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and rule-breaking.” This directly relates to promoting mental health and well-being.

   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The core theme of the article is the prevalence of violence against children. It highlights various forms of violence, including “maltreatment, intimate partner violence and war,” as well as “community violence” and “domestic violence.” The call for “safer neighbourhoods, violence prevention efforts and policing reforms” aligns with the goal of reducing violence and building peaceful societies.

   SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article connects violence exposure to negative educational outcomes. It notes that mental health difficulties starting in the preschool years “can disrupt learning” and that “violence exposure can alter developmental pathways well before formal education begins.” This underscores the importance of a safe environment for achieving quality early childhood development and education.

   SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article specifically mentions “intimate partner violence” and “domestic violence” as forms of violence that children witness. These forms of violence are recognized as key issues under SDG 5, as they disproportionately affect women and girls. The article links to resources on “violence against women,” reinforcing this connection.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s focus on the “profound” impact of violence on children’s mental health and the need for interventions to address “anxiety, fear, or sadness” directly supports the promotion of mental health and well-being.

   Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article’s data on high rates of community violence (witnessed by 74% of children in the South African cohort) and domestic violence (witnessed by 32%) speaks directly to the need to reduce all forms of violence.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. This is the most directly relevant target. The article’s entire premise is based on the prevalence and impact of violence on children, with data showing that 31% of children were direct victims of violence at home and 13% in the community.

   Under SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. The article emphasizes that early childhood is a “critical period for emotional, social and cognitive development” and that violence exposure before school entry can “disrupt learning,” thereby hindering a child’s readiness for primary education.

   Under SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article’s finding that 32% of children witnessed domestic violence and its reference to “intimate partner violence” directly addresses a key component of violence against women.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Implied Indicator: Prevalence of mental health disorders in children. The article measures this through the presence of “internalising symptoms, such as anxiety, fear, or sadness, and externalising symptoms, such as aggression, hyperactivity, and rule-breaking” in preschool children.

   For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

   • Implied Indicator: Proportion of children aged 1-17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month (related to Indicator 16.2.1). The article provides specific statistics that serve as direct measures, such as the percentage of children who are “direct victims in the community (13%) or at home (31%)” and those who have “witnessed community violence (74%)” or “domestic violence (32%).”

   For SDG 4 (Quality Education)

   • Implied Indicator: Measures of early childhood development and school readiness. The article implies this by stating that violence is associated with “poor cognitive outcomes” and can “disrupt learning,” suggesting that tracking cognitive and emotional development in young children can measure progress toward ensuring they are ready for education.

   For SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   • Implied Indicator: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner (related to Indicator 5.2.1). The article’s statistic that “32% of children witnessed domestic violence” serves as a proxy indicator for the prevalence of intimate partner violence in those households.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Mentioned or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.	Prevalence of internalising (anxiety, fear, sadness) and externalising (aggression, hyperactivity) symptoms in children.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.2: End all forms of violence against and torture of children.	Percentage of children exposed to violence (e.g., 83% total exposure, 74% witnessing community violence, 31% direct victims at home).
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.2: Ensure access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education.	Measures of “poor cognitive outcomes” and disruptions to learning in early childhood.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	Prevalence of domestic and intimate partner violence, implied by the percentage of children witnessing it (32%).

Source: theconversation.com