Highlighting the significance of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees every child’s right to equal treatment without discrimination, Dr. Cihan Avcı Braun, Assistant Professor at Yeditepe University’s Faculty of Law, emphasized the importance of this year’s theme for World Children’s Day, set by UNICEF: “Listen to the Future.”
Referring to Article 13 of the Convention, which upholds children’s right to express their thoughts freely, Dr. Braun stated:
“To empower children to express their thoughts freely, we must genuinely listen to them and value their opinions. Through this theme, UNICEF underscores the importance of respecting children’s voices, understanding their ideas for a better world, and incorporating their priorities into our decisions today.”
Rising Cases of Child Abuse Worldwide
Dr. Braun also pointed to Article 19 of the Convention, which prioritizes the protection of children from all forms of physical and mental violence. She elaborated:
“The protection of children from violence is a fundamental principle, enshrined not only in the Convention but also in other international agreements. Despite these efforts, millions of children globally still face abuse daily. One of the biggest challenges in addressing child violence is identifying and measuring cases that occur within family settings or behind closed doors.”
Alarming Statistics from Turkey
Sharing data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) published on August 2, 2023, Dr. Braun highlighted the gravity of the issue:
In 2023, a total of 537,583 cases involving children were reported to or handled by security units. These cases included:
- 242,875 children identified as victims,
- 178,834 involved in criminal acts,
- 84,751 questioned as witnesses,
- 15,716 reported missing and later found,
- 11,179 accused of minor offenses, and
- 4,228 linked to other reasons.
The Long-Lasting Impact of Trauma
Dr. Braun explained that children who experience or witness violence face severe, long-term consequences that affect their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. She stated:
“The effects of violence can last a lifetime and may even be passed down to future generations. Exposure to violence at a young age leads to toxic stress, disrupts brain development, and increases the risk of aggression, substance abuse, and criminal behavior.”
Global Crisis of Sexual Violence
Dr. Braun also addressed the widespread issue of sexual violence against children, citing recent data:
According to a UNICEF Turkey press release dated October 10, more than 370 million girls and women worldwide have experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood.
When including non-contact forms of sexual violence, such as online or verbal harassment, this figure rises to 650 million globally.
An estimated 240-310 million boys and men have experienced rape or sexual assault as children.
Including non-contact violence, this number grows to 410-530 million worldwide.
Dr. Braun concluded by stressing the urgency of addressing these issues, calling for collective action to protect children’s rights and ensure their voices are heard.
Press: DHA | CNN Türk