Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse includes all forms of physical and emotional mistreatment, sexual abuse, and neglect of a child’s basic needs, which results in actual or potential harm to a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Exploitation of children is also a form of abuse and includes trafficking for sexual or economic purposes, and recruitment of children into armed forces.

An abused child may experience many forms of mistreatment in any one incident or over time; for example, emotional harm is a pervading factor in all types of abuse. The abuser may be a family member, a stranger, another child, or someone responsible for a child's well-being, such as a teacher or caretaker.

Children in every society are vulnerable to abuse, gender based violence, and exploitation, however children without parental care and those in high risk environments such as conflict areas, refugee camps, on the street, or in institutions, are particularly exposed to violence, denial of their basic human rights, and deprivation. All abuse has its origins in power imbalance and therefore is typically associated with fear, secrecy, and control. This makes identifying and speaking out about abuse very difficult for children, family members, the community and social services, particularly when it is committed within the privacy of the home.

Child abuse can cause physical and psychosocial problems, including HIV/AIDS infection, and is particularly damaging when repeated over a period of time. Children may manifest abuse via destructive or withdrawn behaviours, developmental delays, injuries or other health problems. The effects of abuse will vary from child to child and depend on the source, type and extent of the abuse, the child’s developmental stage and their disposition or resilience.

The process of identifying and responding to abuse requires skilled interventions in order to prevent further harm to the child, and will typically include police, medical, psychological, and social services in order to address the safety, physical, and emotional needs of the affected children. Any care plan must be in the best interests of the child and protect them and their siblings from harm. This will include consideration of the additional risks of abuse that are present for children in institutions and care placements. Such closed environments are extremely susceptible to abuse since they are frequently isolated, insufficiently regulated, and lacking in adequate supervision and safe reporting procedures. It is the role of social services to screen and monitor all child placements, including institutional, kinship, and foster care, to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.

It is the responsibility of the whole community to protect its children. Education and community awareness for children and adults on the risks, signs of abuse, and responses is vital for children without parental care and those in high risk situations, such as during a conflict or displacement when sexual violence, exploitation, and recruitment into armed forces are prevalent.

The literature in this section describes the types of abuse in more detail, including gender based violence, and provides example child protection procedures, policy papers, and other intervention tools.

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[Event Recording] EVAC Ministerial Conference: One year Anniversary

WHO and UNICEF, 10 Nov 2025

The anniversary event marking one year since the 2024 Global Ministerial Conference brought together global leaders, ministers, experts, and advocates to celebrate progress toward ending violence against children and to renew commitments for the y

A crucial juncture for evidence-based action to end violence against children

Amber Petermana, Joan Njagib, Horace Gninafonc, and Alessandra Guedese, 07 Nov 2025

This Lancet commentary highlights a major update to the evidence base for preventing violence against children, emphasizing findings from a new systematic review that strengthens and refines the INSPIRE Framework’s intervention strategies. It underscores that several approaches—such as parenting programs, whole-school violence prevention, healthy relationships education, and cash-plus life-skills initiatives—are proven effective, while others lack sufficient evidence and require reevaluation.

Interventions to prevent, reduce, and respond to violence against children and adolescents: A systematic review of systematic reviews to update the INSPIRE Framework

Madison T Little, Alexander Butchart, Greta M Massetti, et al., 07 Nov 2025

A decade after the launch of WHO’s INSPIRE Framework, this systematic review updates the global evidence on what works to end violence against children. Analyzing 216 systematic reviews, it identifies the most effective interventions—including parenting programs, safe school environments, healthy relationship education, cash-plus life-skills training, and cognitive behavioural therapy—and underscores the urgent need to scale up these proven approaches worldwide.

The criminalisation of children in care

UK Children's Commissioner, 01 Nov 2025

The Children’s Commissioner’s report “The Criminalisation of Children in Care” reveals a deeply concerning pattern: children in care in the UK are disproportionately drawn into the criminal justice system, often for low-level incidents that, in a family setting, would be handled without police involvement. To address this, the Commissioner calls for a strengthened, statutory protocol among police, local authorities, and youth services; better diversion pathways; a more child-friendly prosecution process; increased legal aid and training; more stable, high-quality care placements; and improved data sharing to monitor and prevent harmful police involvement.

Digital Dialogue: Ending Corporal Punishment

WHO, 21 Aug 2025

Corporal punishment is the most commonly experienced form of violence against children. Evidence shows it harms children’s health and offers no benefits for children, parents, or societies.

Short Film on Corporal (Violent) Punishment: But I Grew Up Fine...Didn't I?

Global Youth-Led Movement , 20 Aug 2025

This short film was produced by the Global Youth-Led Movement on Ending Violence Against Children for the launch of the World Health Organization’s first-ever report on the public health impact of corporal punishment of children (August 2025).

Image from video with women reading a message

Corporal punishment of children: the public health impact

World Health Organization, 20 Aug 2025

This technical report, from WHO, describes the prevalence, risk factors for, and consequences of child corporal punishment, which it defines as “any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light”.

Framework for Action

Framework for Action, 01 Jul 2025

The Framework for Action is an interagency initiative, led by UNICEF, Save the Children and World Vision, driving global action behind efforts to strengthen child protection systems, mobilising the complex array of stakeholders at sub-national, national, regional and global levels to implement pledges and commitments to end violence against children.

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Documentation of child neglect: Do assessment tools make a difference?

Rahel Portmann, Simon Kaiser, Julia Quehenberger, David L¨atsch, Andreas Jud,, 01 Jul 2025

Neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment and has serious consequences for the development of children. Assessing child neglect is challenging because it involves recognizing acts of omission rather than commissions. This study examines the influence of the assessment tool SAT-BL on the documentation of neglect.

Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) Data Dashboard

Together for Girls, UNAIDS, 01 Jun 2025

The VACS Data Dashboard is a comprehensive online tool designed to provide easy access to data from the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) across more than 20 countries.

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