Merged with the WG on ending sexual exploitation of children in June 2020.

Issue

Every day, boys and girls around the world endure some form of violence. It happens in every country, and it doesn’t discriminate between culture, class, income or education. In many cases, violence against children is allowed by national laws or justified for disciplinary reasons or cultural tradition. This has devastating consequences for children’s health and development.

The Working Group on Children and Violence

The Working Group on Children and Violence aims to promote action that will prompt violence prevention strategies and protect children who are vulnerable. In particular, the Working Group focuses on the framework provided by the UN CRC and works towards the implementation of this instrument as a legal obligation for governments and as a core protection tool for children.

The WG aims to (1) speak with one voice and work together alongside UN Human Rights mechanisms and UN agencies based in Geneva which are pertinent to the theme of violence against children; (2) act as Geneva focal point for advancing the Post 2015 Global Sustainable Development VAC related goals and targets, to ensure the continuous implementation of the recommendations put forward in the UN Study on VAC, notably by means of advocacy towards key players in Geneva (the UN, permanent missions and regional institutions) in collaboration with civil society organizations and networks; and (3) continue to maintain strong links with, and provide collaborative support to the SRSG/VAC and the CRC.