International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

June 4 has been declared by UNICEF as the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protect the rights of children.

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression celebrates the millions of individuals and organisations working to protect and preserve the rights of children. It is a time for people all over the world to become aware of the impact of monstrosity of abuse, in all its forms, against children. It is also a time when organisations and individuals learn from or take part in awareness campaigns centred on protecting children’s rights.

The UNICEF reports that “children continue to fear and experience violence in every country of the world” and that “violence cuts across all social, cultural, religious and ethnic lines”. Violence and abuse against children may take place anywhere: at home, at school, on the streets. When there is violence in the home, even if children are not physically abused themselves, they will often witness the abuse of the abused parent. Many children of abusers are scared of the abuser, and will often exhibit problems such as ‘acting out’, problems at school, and many other symptoms. Besides being traumatised, these children are much more likely to be abusive in their own relationships when they are older, as that is what they have had modelled to them by their parents. The time has come to dramatically end this fatal cycle, wouldn’t you agree?

Mumbai Smiles pledges its support, how about you?

Source: Taking it global
Photos: Mumbai Smiles, Council of Europe