Hope For Children organises '19 Days of Activism Against Child Abuse'

From 1 to 19 November, the international humanitarian organisation "Hope For Children" CRC Policy Center will launch the global '19 Days of Activism' campaign, dedicated to preventing violence against children and young people.

Throughout this campaign, the organisation will focus on initiatives aimed at preventing all forms of violence against children and raising public awareness about issues of child abuse, including prevention and intervention practices.

The campaign includes the following activities:

- Awareness Events: Presentations and discussions in the media to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the various forms of violence affecting children.

- Educational Programs: Activities in schools for children, parents, and educators focused on recognising, preventing, and combating all forms of abuse.

-Fun Day: Set for November 17, 2024, at Eleftheria Square from 12:00 to 17:00, under the auspices of Nicosia’s Mayor, Charalambos Prountzos. This event will feature performances by children's choirs, dance shows, sports, educational, and recreational activities, as well as many surprises for visitors of all ages.

-Counseling and Support: Promotion of mental health services for children and families, including the 1466 Helpline, which operates free of charge 24/7, providing support on child protection issues.

Child abuse remains a global issue with severe impacts on children's development and mental health.

-The Council of Europe reports that about one in five children is a victim of some form of sexual abuse, while one in four minors has experienced physical abuse before adulthood.

-Thousands of children have lost their lives in armed conflicts, while even more are now forced to live in war zones.

-Online risks to children are mounting: recent United Nations data show that 15 percent of children have reported being victims of cyberbullying, while electronic service providers identified 32 million reports of child sexual abuse images in 2022.

-Data from the European Commission indicate that the number of recorded cases of child abuse has risen in recent years, with only a small proportion of incidents being reported and investigated.

In Cyprus, the trends are similar. Specifically, regarding sexual abuse, the Children's House received 469 reports of sexual violence against children in 2023, while 330 reports were filed up until October 2024. Furthermore, data from the Cyber Crime Unit of the Cyprus Police indicates that there were 203 cases with 106 children victims in 2023, and in 2024, up until October 31st, 161 cases were reported involving 96 children victims.

"Investing in child protection and children's well-being is not a choice but an urgent necessity," said Andria Neocleous, Executive Director of Hope For Children. "It is therefore essential to strengthen support structures and mechanisms for children and to increase public awareness so that abuse is reduced, and children who need help can be heard," she added.

For more information and the full schedule of events, please call 22103234 or visit the Hope For Children website at www.uncrcpc.org.cy

About the "19 Days of Activism for Prevention of Violence Against Children and Youth" Campaign:

The "19 Days of Activism" campaign is an initiative of the Women's World Summit Foundation, based in Geneva, Switzerland. It calls for organisation and action to promote social behavior change, educate, and mobilise civil society organisations, including youth and children, to engage in preventing one or more of 19 forms of abuse, such as bullying, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), neglect, and children in armed conflict.