Some of the Biggest Victims of Domestic Violence are the
Smallest
New Global Report Reveals Impact of Domestic Violence on
Children
A global report published by UNICEF and The Body Shop International
reveals the devastating and lasting impact on children of living
with domestic violence.
Based on global data from the United Nations Secretary-General's
Study on Violence against Children, the report conservatively
estimates that as many as 275 million children are currently
exposed to domestic violence. The fact that domestic violence is
chronically underreported and that some countries have no data at
all makes it difficult to quantify how many children it
affects.
"Domestic violence can have a lasting negative impact on children,"
UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said in New York. "We must
do everything in our power to ensure that children grow up in safe
and stable environments, free of violence."
The Body Shop is helping to take action against domestic violence
by launching its 2006 Stop Violence in the Home Campaign, which
focuses on children as the forgotten victims. For this year's
campaign, The Body Shop is joining forces with campaign partners in
45 countries across the globe to raise funds and awareness to help
protect and support children who are exposed to domestic
violence.
Dame Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop, added, "Domestic
violence is one of the biggest human rights challenges of our time.
It is a global phenomenon of epic proportions that knows no
geographical boundaries. If we don't take action now then without a
doubt society will continue to suffer as these young victims become
adults. Protecting children should be the absolute concern of
everybody who is working to see an end to domestic violence. We
urge everyone to rally behind this global campaign."
Defining domestic violence as physical, sexual or psychological
abuse of a parent or caregiver, the report finds that the
experience of watching, hearing or otherwise being aware of
domestic violence can impact children's physical, emotional and
social development, both during childhood and later in life.
In the vast majority of cases, domestic violence is perpetrated
against women. At least one in three women globally is a victim of
domestic violence. The report turns attention to the lesser-known
facts: the impact on children who are exposed to this violence.
The lasting impact of domestic violence on
children
The Body Shop's Stop Violence in the Home campaign aims to raise
awareness and to encourage governments to better protect and
support children who are exposed to domestic violence.
The report finds that children who live with domestic violence
not only endure the distress of being surrounded by violence, but
are more likely to become victims of abuse themselves. An estimated
40 per cent of child-abuse victims also have reported domestic
violence in the home.
Even when children are not physically abused themselves, their
exposure to domestic violence can have severe and lasting effects.
The impact begins early: studies show that younger children are
more likely to be exposed to domestic violence than older children,
which can impair their mental and emotional growth in a critical
stage of development.
As they grow up, children who are exposed to domestic violence
continue to face a range of possible effects including trouble with
school work, limited social skills, depression, anxiety and other
psychological problems. They are at greater risk for substance
abuse, teenage pregnancy and delinquent behaviour, according to the
report.
The report also finds that the single best predictor of children
continuing the cycle of domestic violence - either as perpetrators
or as victims - depends on whether or not they grow up in a home
with domestic violence. Research shows that rates of abuse are
higher among women whose husbands were abused as children or who
saw their mothers being abused. Many studies have also found that
children from violent homes show signs of more aggressive
behaviour, such as bullying, and are up to three times more likely
to be involved in fighting.
STOP VIOLENCE IN THE HOME
The report urges governments and societies to pay more attention to
the specific needs of children who live in homes impacted by
domestic violence. It also identifies the need for better
monitoring and reporting on the prevalence of domestic violence in
order to shed light on this hidden issue.
Governments have a vital role to play in breaking the cycle of
domestic violence and protecting the youngest victims of domestic
violence, and are urged to:
Raise awareness of the impact of domestic violence on
children through public education campaigns and efforts to
challenge beliefs and customs that condone violence.
Create public policies and laws that protect
children. Governments must enact and enforce laws and
policies that criminalize domestic violence and protect all its
victims.
Improve social services that address the impact of violence
in the home on children. Interventions that support
children who are exposed to domestic violence help minimize the
long-term risks to these children and must be adequately funded and
scaled-up.
Funds raised from a gorgeous lightly scented new Daisy Soap and
moisturising Mint Lip Care Stick will be donated to a charity
working in partnership with each individual country involved in
this campaign.
For further information and photography please contact The
Body Shop® Press Officer located in your
country.
NOTES TO EDITORS: The report Behind Closed Doors:
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children is the result of a new
partnership between UNICEF, The Body Shop International, and the
United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against
Children, the first global report to document the nature and extent
of violence against children.
The United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against
Children
The Secretary-General's Study, is a groundbreaking effort to detail
the nature and scale of violence against children globally. Using
the latest research from across the world, the study looks at
violence in five settings: the home and family; schools and
educational settings; other institutional settings (such as
orphanages); the community and on the streets; and work situations.
Led by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, former Secretary of State for Human
Rights of Brazil, the study is being developed in close
consultation with UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Stop Violence in the Home campaign
Stop Violence in the Home is part of The Body Shop International's
ongoing global campaign to raise awareness on the issue of domestic
violence.
To date more than £2 million has been raised by The Body Shop®
global campaign. Initially launched across the world in 2003, Stop
Violence in the Home
has been rolled out across the globe to help victims of domestic
violence and is now running in 45 countries.
The Body Shop International Plc has over 2,000 stores in over 50
markets worldwide. A global retailer of high quality toiletries and
cosmetics, we are also committed to environmental protection and
respect for human rights. We develop trading relationships with
communities in need; we are against animal testing in the cosmetics
industry; and we encourage education, awareness and involvement
among our staff and customers.
BUY THE BODY SHOP® NEW DAISY SOAP OR MINT LIP CARE STICK
& HELP THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
REAL LIFE SAVERS
Small things really can make a really big difference at The Body
Shop®! Simply purchase either our amazing new Daisy
Soap or moisturising Mint Lip Care Stick
and money will be donated to a domestic violence related charity in
your country.
As part of its 2006 Stop Violence In the Home Campaign, The Body
Shop International focuses on the forgotten victims of domestic
violence, children, drawing attention to the catastrophic effects
domestic violence has on those witnessing abuse between parents.
It's good to know that by buying something to help care for your
lips or your skin, you will be taking action against one of the
biggest human right issues of our time, and helping to build a
better future for our children.
A unique study published by UNICEF and The Body Shop, has for the
first time unveiled a true global picture of the impact domestic
violence has upon children witnessing abuse between parents.
The Body Shop® 2006 Stop Violence In The Home Campaign aims to
raise awareness for the plight of these children, to support those
affected and to help stop domestic violence once and for all.
Everyone can do their bit to make a difference for these
children. The gorgeous
new Daisy Soap, is lightly scented with a pretty
floral fragrance, and gently cleanses the skin with its rich, foamy
lather. The vegetable soap contains daisy extract, and moisturising
Community Trade shea butter from Ghana.
Moisturising Mint Lip Care Stick contains
Community Trade beeswax plus olive oil and vitamin E to help keeps
lips looking luscious and conditioned. Peppermint oil provides a
wonderful, zingy mint fragrance.
Sometimes the biggest issues affect the smallest people, but by
buying either a new Daisy Soap or Mint Lip
Care Stick, we can demonstrate how even the smallest
things can make a difference.
Donate A Phone, Save A Life:
The Body Shop Help Stop Violence in the Home campaign has raised
more than £2 million to date in its global campaign to raise
awareness on the issue of domestic violence.
For further information, photography and pricing
information, please contact The Body Shop® Press Officer located in
your country.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
Community Trade is a special purchasing programme created by The
Body Shop, sourcing naturals and accessory items from marginalised
communities across the world. The Body Shop International Plc has
over 2,000 stores in over 50 markets worldwide. A global retailer
of high quality toiletries and cosmetics, we are also committed to
environmental protection and respect for human rights. We develop
trading relationships with communities in need; we are against
animal testing in the cosmetics industry; and we encourage
education, awareness and involvement among our staff and
customers.