CHI - Violence Against Children

United Nations Special Representative on Violence Against Children

In May 2009, Marta Santos Pais was appointed Special Representative on Violence Against Children. The position of Special Representative was called for in the original United Natations VAC Study Recommendations. CHI is committed to preventing violence against children from occurring and will work with Ms. Santos Pais in any way it can.

UN Study on Violence Against Children
CHI made contributions during the entire process of the UNVAC Study. Several of its child helpline members participated in the regional consultations that were held. CHI also submitted a report that contained recommendations to the VAC Study on the importance of child helplines and their needs to be able to reach out to children who are the victim of abuse and violence. The important work of child helplines was recognised in Recommendation 8 of the VAC Report. It states that child helplines are a key part in creating accessible and child-friendly mechanisms to respond to the needs of children who are the victims of abuse and violence:

'I recommend that states should establish safe, well-publicised, confidential and accessible mechanisms for children, their representatives and others to report violence against children. All children, including those in care and justice institutions, should be aware of the existence of mechanisms of complaint. Mechanisms such as telephone helplines through which children can report violence, speak to a trained counsellor in confidence and ask for support and advice should be established and the creation of other ways of reporting violence through new technologies should be considered.'

In addition, the UNVAC Study Recommendations called for the appointment of a Special Representative. This person would have to be an independent advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of violence against children. Child Helpline International hopes that the appointment of Ms. Santo Pais will expedite international efforts on violence against children. CHI will cooperate as much as possible with her, to build a position that is strong, independent and truly authoritative on the issue of violence against children. Amongst other things, CHI will continue to follow up on the implementation of the VAC Recommendations by stakeholders.

CHI Follow-up Reports
Since 2007, Child Helpline International has published three follow-up reports to the UN VAC Study. In the first follow-up report published in November 2007, Child Helpline International analysed the status of implementation of the recommendations made by Professor Pinheiro by states and other stakeholders. In 2008, CHI published a second follow-up report to the UN VAC Study. The report focused on the important work of child helplines in implementing the VAC Study Recommendations. In 2009, CHI implemented its third follow up study. The results of the study are collected and analysed in the Third CHI VAC follow up report. All three follow reports are available for download on the publications page, here.

In 2010, CHI will be implementing the fourth CHI VAC Questionnaire. This edition will provide detailed information on the nature and incidence of violence and abuse as well as the characteristics of the victims. The data collection for this questionnaire will take place in the period March-May 201. The report will be available in quarter 4 of the year in four languages.


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	United Nations Special Representative on Violence Against Children In May 2009, Marta Santos Pais was appointed Special Representative on Violence Against Children. The position of Special Representative was called for in the original United Natations VAC Study Recommendations. CHI is committed to preventing violence against children from occurring and will work with Ms. Santos Pais in any way it can. UN Study on Violence Against Children CHI made contributions during the entire process of the UNVAC Study. Several of its child helpline members participated in the regional consultations that were held. CHI also submitted a report that contained recommendations to the VAC Study on the importance of child helplines and their needs to be able to reach out to children who are the victim of abuse and violence. The important work of child helplines was recognised in Recommendation 8 of the VAC Report. It states that child helplines are a key part in creating accessible and child-friendly mechanisms to respond to the needs of children who are the victims of abuse and violence: 'I recommend that states should establish safe, well-publicised, confidential and accessible mechanisms for children, their representatives and others to report violence against children. All children, including those in care and justice institutions, should be aware of the existence of mechanisms of complaint. Mechanisms such as telephone helplines through which children can report violence, speak to a trained counsellor in confidence and ask for support and advice should be established and the creation of other ways of reporting violence through new technologies should be considered.' In addition, the UNVAC Study Recommendations called for the appointment of a Special Representative. This person would have to be an independent advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of violence against children. Child Helpline International hopes that the appointment of Ms. Santo Pais will expedite international efforts on violence against children. CHI will cooperate as much as possible with her, to build a position that is strong, independent and truly authoritative on the issue of violence against children. Amongst other things, CHI will continue to follow up on the implementation of the VAC Recommendations by stakeholders. CHI Follow-up Reports Since 2007, Child Helpline International has published three follow-up reports to the UN VAC Study. In the first follow-up report published in November 2007, Child Helpline International analysed the status of implementation of the recommendations made by Professor Pinheiro by states and other stakeholders. In 2008, CHI published a second follow-up report to the UN VAC Study. The report focused on the important work of child helplines in implementing the VAC Study Recommendations. In 2009, CHI implemented its third follow up study. The results of the study are collected and analysed in the Third CHI VAC follow up report. All three follow reports are available for download on the publications page, here. In 2010, CHI will be implementing the fourth CHI VAC Questionnaire. This edition will provide detailed information on the nature and incidence of violence and abuse as well as the characteristics of the victims. The data collection for this questionnaire will take place in the period March-May 201. The report will be available in quarter 4 of the year in four languages.
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