Congressional Resolution Calls on U.S. Government to Address Violence Against Children Globally

The Ending Violence Against Children Taskforce applauds Sens. Boozman
and Cardin and Reps. McGovern and Wilson for introducing Sen. Res. 112
and its companion H. Res. 230 yesterday. Written with input by the
Taskforce, which includes ChildFund International, Futures Without
Violence, Save the Children, UNICEF USA and World Vision, the resolution
condemns all forms of violence against children and youth while
encouraging the development of a strategy for preventing, addressing and
ending violence against children and youth globally.

The resolution is part of a multi-year advocacy effort led by the Ending
Violence Against Children Taskforce, a group of international
non-governmental organizations committed to addressing the global
prevalence of physical and emotional violence. Continued engagement by
the Taskforce organizations with members of Congress galvanized the
support and ultimate introduction of the resolution.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 billion children
worldwide are exposed to violence in their homes, schools and other
places that are presumed to be safe. Violence, when unaddressed, damages
children’s learning, behavior and health across a lifetime. Violence
against children undermines our development efforts around the globe. In
schools, 246 million boys and girls experience gender-based violence,
with girls at a higher risk of sexual violence, harassment and
exploitation. School-related gender-based violence is a major obstacle
to ensuring girls’ access to basic education. Around the world, nearly
one in three adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 suffered from the effects of
violence.

The Ending Violence Against Children resolution also calls on Congress
to recognize the economic consequences of violence against children and
youth. The global economic impact of physical, psychological and sexual
violence against children may be as high as $7 trillion, or 8 percent of
the world’s GDP.

“The outcomes the United States hopes to achieve with our global
economic development initiatives will struggle to fully take hold in
countries where violence against children goes unaddressed,” said Sen.
John Boozman, a lead sponsor of the resolution. “Horrific acts like
human trafficking and child labor have tragic lifelong consequences for
individual children and devastate entire communities. This bipartisan
resolution sends a strong message that a plan to end violence against
children must be a priority in our global development strategy.”

Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, also a lead cosponsor of the resolution,
echoed the gravity of the issue, stating, “Millions of children around
the world have lost their childhoods to physical, sexual and mental
violence and abuse. As adults, it is our responsibility to keep them
safe and prevent the types of inhumane treatment and developmental
roadblocks found in far too many corners of the world. This is a local
issue and a global one. I am proud to stand with Sen. Boozman to lead
the call for the U.S. government to develop and implement a strategy to
address the widespread dangers being faced by children and youth that is
in line with international standards and sustainable development goals.”

The World Health Organization, along with the Centers for Disease
Control, the President’s Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, the United
States Agency for International Development, the World Bank, UNICEF and
others have developed INSPIRE, a package of evidence-based interventions
to reduce rates of violence against children. The coordinated approach
adopts common metrics and indicators that can be used by U.S. government
agencies to prevent, address and end violence against children and youth
globally.

“Now is the time for Congress to lead on the important issue of
eliminating violence against children,” said Rep. Jim McGovern of
Massachusetts, a lead sponsor of the resolution in the House. “As more
families flee their home countries to escape violence, we must take up
the commonsense actions laid out in this bipartisan resolution to
protect as many children as possible.”

Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina joined Rep. McGovern in leading this
effort, adding, “This important bipartisan resolution sends a clear
message across the world: Congress cares about the plight of millions
of children exposed to violence. Our moral duty requires us to be the
advocates for those whose lives are forever affected by the tragic
consequences of violence. We must do everything in our power to increase
our commitment to ensuring that all children can live in a safe
environment, without having to endure violence in any form. I am
grateful to work with Congressman Jim McGovern on this critical issue.”

ChildFund International partners with communities throughout
Asia, Africa and the Americas - including the United States - to create
lasting, positive change for children. Our programs address the
underlying conditions that prevent children and youth from achieving
their full potential. Last year, we reached 11.4 million children and
family members. Approximately 200,000 Americans support our work by
sponsoring individual children or investing in ChildFund programs. Learn
more at www.ChildFund.org.

Futures Without Violence is a national health and social justice
nonprofit that develops groundbreaking programs, policies, and campaigns
to empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against
women and children. Striving to reach new audiences and transform social
norms, we train professionals such as doctors, nurses, judges, educators
and athletic coaches on improving responses to violence and trauma. We
also work with advocates, policymakers, and others to build sustainable
community leadership and educate people everywhere about the importance
of respect and healthy relationships. For more information, visit www.futureswithoutviolence.org.

Save
the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our
founding 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion
children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a
healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from
harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of
crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than
190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped
save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by
providing health care and immunizations, safe water and sanitation,
nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. UNICEF USA supports
UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United
States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die
from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy
childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting
relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children,
families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them
reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and
injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race,
ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/.

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