The United Nations Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children paints a detailed picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children and proposes recommendation of action to prevent and respond to it. The study was developed under the leadership of Prof. Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, independent expert appointed by the Secretary-General and with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study was prepared through a participatory process which included regional, sub-regional and national consultations, expert thematic meetings and field visits. Governments, international organisations, civil society organisations and children from around the world provided extensive inputs to the elaboration of the report and the formulation of its recommendations. The study was presented to the UN General Assembly in October 2006. Member states, international organisations, NGOs welcomed the Study and committed to promote the implementation of its recommendations.

New! On 27 November 2007, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly approved the resolution on the rights of the child which includes a focus on the elimination of violence against children. The resolution requests the UN system and other partners to ensure follow up and dissemination of the UN Study and reflects the Study recommendations. The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to appoint for a period of three years a Special Representative on violence against children. The SRSG is expected to act as a high-profile and independent global advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children in all regions, while avoiding duplication. To read the approved text for the resolution click here.

The report on the first year of follow up to the UN Study on Violence against Children was presented by the Independent Expert, Prof. Pinheiro, to the Third Committee of the 62nd UN General Assembly during the afternoon of 19 October. The report provides information on the dissemination of the United Nations Study on Violence against Children and on progress made in the initial phase of follow-up to the Study. To read the progress report on the first year of follow up to the study (A/63/209), click here:Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. Over 20 delegations took the floor to discuss its recommendations during the UN General Assembly.

Main outcomes of the UN Study process:

UN Study on Violence against Children – Official Report presented to the 61st UN General Assembly

World Report on Violence against Children (English, Arabic, French) - Book containing additional details and recommendations on violence against children in different settings.

To contact the study, please click here.