Preventing violence against children 2020: report for the WHO South-East Asia Region

Overview

Violence affects the lives of up to 1 billion children globally, with long-lasting and costly health, emotional, social and economic consequences.1 In South-East Asia, the Regional report of the Global status report for violence prevention published in 2014 revealed that victims of child maltreatment incur higher health-care costs, make more visits to health-care providers over their lifetime and have more hospital stays than those who have not experienced violence.2 In the East Asia and Pacific region, child maltreatment costs a total of US$ 151 billion or 1.9% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).3 Violence against children can be prevented.

Evidence-based guidance on what works to prevent and respond to violence against children is readily accessible in the seven INSPIRE strategies (Box 1). Evidence shows that a 20–50% decrease in prevalence has been achieved by well-designed programmes, many of which are implemented in low- and middle-income countries.4 Rapid reductions in violence are clearly possible if there is political will and strong leadership, evidence-based policies and interventions, and adequate finances.