{"id":120121,"date":"2020-11-23T16:28:14","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T20:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=120121"},"modified":"2020-11-23T16:28:14","modified_gmt":"2020-11-23T20:28:14","slug":"paho-study-finds-major-gaps-in-countries-actions-to-prevent-violence-against-children-and-adolescents-in-the-americas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/paho-study-finds-major-gaps-in-countries-actions-to-prevent-violence-against-children-and-adolescents-in-the-americas\/","title":{"rendered":"PAHO study finds major gaps in countries\u2019 actions to prevent violence against children and adolescents in the Americas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A first-of-its kind analysis of country data on violence against children and adolescents in the Americas reports that while the region has taken important action, serious gaps in prevention and response leave many children behind.<\/p>

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The problem has gained new urgency amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Early data indicate that the pandemic is associated with increasing risk of domestic violence, including violence against children. COVID-related lock-down, stress, anxiety, substance abuse and social and economic concerns can provoke familial conflict. Meanwhile, the pandemic has led to reduced access of children to friends, relatives and health and protection services that might have provided support.<\/p>\n

\u201cViolence against children has devastating and lifelong consequences for them,\u201d said PAHO Deputy Director Mary Lou Valdez. \u201cCOVID-19 only intensifies the problem, as triggers for domestic violence are heightened. It is vital that countries pay attention to violence against children in this time of increased tension and that they use the evidence-based strategies that have been successful in tackling this pernicious problem.\u201d<\/p>

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The report was launched today in an event that included Ms. Valdez, Maria Juliana Ruiz, the First Lady of Colombia, Juliet Cuthbert Flynn, Minister of State in the Jamaica Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Josefina Luna, Advisor for the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) of the Dominican Republic, and leaders of UNICEF, UNESCO and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children. Those three organizations \u2013 as well as numerous other groups in the region \u2013 collaborated on this report.<\/p>

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The\u00a0Regional Status Report 2020: Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Children\u00a0<\/em>is based on information from 31 countries that responded to a global survey. The study marks the first time that governments have reported on progress on the\u00a0INSPIRE<\/em>\u00a0framework, a set of seven evidence-based strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children.<\/p>\n

These strategies, with the highest potential of reducing violence against children, include implementation and enforcement of laws, challenging social norms and values that justify use of violence; creating safe physical environments for children; providing support to parents and caregivers; strengthening income and economic security; improving response and support services for children; and providing children with education and life skills.<\/p>

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Key findings in the report include:<\/p>\n