Violence against children low in Turkey: Report
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has released a new report titled "Hidden in Plain Sight" that reveals global statistics on violence against children. Among the 190 countries that the report collected data from for 2012 and before, Turkey scored relatively low in child homicide victim rates, only two per 100,000 people up to the age of 19, according to 2012 statistics. On sexual abuse targeting children, the report shows 11 percent of girls between the ages of 15 and 24 fell victim to sexual abuse before the age of 15, while 6 percent were sexually abused after the age of 15, according to the 2009 data the report included.The UNICEF report said that children received into security units including police and gendarmerie stations as victims increased by 37 percent in two years as of 2013. The report mentions that the Turkish government and nongovernmental organizations, consulting with children, drafted a road map to prevent violence against children.It also cites other efforts such as the training of professionals and nongovernmental organization representatives in intervening and monitoring cases of violence.According to UNICEF, Turkey's efforts focus on increasing the reporting and referrals of cases of violence against children so that victims receive adequate support and access to justice to deter perpetrators and contribute to changing harmful social norms and practices.
Last Update: September 05, 2014 23:13