violence against children WORLD REPORT ON - CRIN

“In all countries children with disabilities continue to experience violence at equal to or higher ratesthan children without disabilities. They are often perceived as not worthy of dignity and respect.We must remember that children with disabilities are first and foremost children. They, like childrenwithout disabilities, must have the right to be free from violence, they too have the right to be respectedand protected. It is our legal responsibility to ensure that this happens”.Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, Editorial Board of the UN Secretary-General’s Studyon Violence against ChildrenFigure 7.2Rates of forced sexual initiation involving adolescents for the period 1993–1999Cameroon (N=646)3037Caribbean (N=15695) a,b3248Ghana (N=750)521Mozambique (N=1659)New Zealand (N=935) c07719FemalesMalesPeru (N=611)1140294South Africa (N=1975)628Violence against children in the communityUnited Republic of Tanzania(N=892)USA (N=2042)0 10 20 30 40 50PercentageRates are based on those who have had sexual intercourse.a) Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Luciab) Percentage adolescents responding that first intecourse was forced or “somewhat” forcedc) Longitudinal study of cohort born in 1972-1973. Subjects were questioned at 18 years of age and again at 21 years ofage about their current and previous sexual behaviourSource: Krug EG et al. (Eds) (2002). World Report on Violence and Health. Geneva, World Health Organizationfollowing sexual assault reported having beenassaulted by a stranger. 59 In some cases, sexualviolence is accompanied by or associated withabduction or trafficking.Issues of special concern7929Reports of violence experienced by specificgroups of children, or particular situations inwhich children seem to be at high risk of violence,were received by the Study. Childrenwith disabilities may be targeted by others inthe community, fuelled by stigma and prejudice.Services that cater well for their needsare still the exception. The vulnerability ofchildren living on the street was stronglyemphasised in Regional Consultations. Physicaland sexual violence by figures of authoritysuch as coaches, religious leaders and teacherswas widely mentioned, although hard data