More than 1 billion children—half of all the children in the
world—are victims of violence every year, according to data just released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Violence Prevention. That amounts to 2 of every 3 girls and 3 of
every 4 boys globally who experience violence in childhood.
To understand the nature of this violence, the
CDC’s Violence against Children Surveys (VACS)
works to measure
physical, emotional, and sexual violence against girls and boys through surveys
that have been completed in five countries, and are underway in nine more. The
surveys have highlighted the tragic correlation between exposure to childhood
sexual violence and the increase in negative health conditions, including HIV
and AIDS.
In each of the five countries studied – Haiti,
Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Swaziland –
more
than 1 in 4 girls experienced sexual violence.
In one country surveyed,
those that experienced sexual violence were
3.7 times more likely to be infected with sexually transmitted
infections, including HIV.
In addition to these negative outcomes, children who
experience violence are at greater risk for destructive yet preventable
consequences, including chronic diseases, crime and drug abuse, as well as
serious mental health problems.
The CDC has composed a group of complementary strategies
they believe are critical components for preventing violence against children. These
strategies – termed THRIVES - highlight the need for mobilizing multiple
sectors of the community. The THRIVES strategy includes: Training in parenting,
Household and economic strengthening, Reduced violence through protective
policies, Improved services, Values and norms that protect children, Education
and life skills, and Surveillance and evaluation. These focus areas illustrate that
churches have a key role to play in this important issue given that in many communities
they are the voice of influence in areas such as values toward children,
parenting, and finances.
To learn how you can participate in an Orphan Care PEACE
trip to Rwanda and help train local churches in parenting and getting children out of orphanages and into the care of families, email orphans@saddleback.com or call the
Orphan Care Initiative at 949-609-8555.
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