A Billion Children Threatened by Violence

Countries are failing to shield a billion children from physical, sexual, or psychological violence each year, the UN warns

The first-of-its-kind report from the WHO and other UN agencies reveals that 80% of 155 countries have national action plans, but only ~20% are fully fleshed out and funded. 

• Nearly 3 in 4 (300 million) toddlers regularly suffer physical and/or psychological violence.


• 1 in 4 under-5-year-olds live with a mother who is a victim.


• 1 in 3 students aged 11-15 suffered bullying in the past month.

And: The pandemic’s lockdowns have left too many children with no escape. “It is urgent to scale up efforts to protect children during these times and beyond, including by designating social service workers as essential and strengthening child helplines,” says UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.