Children and Domestic Violence:
Children and Domestic Violence The
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a comprehensive, internationally binding agreement on the rights of children, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989. It incorporates children's: *civil and political rights *social, economic and cultural rights ; and *protection rights A child is defined in the UNCRC as a person under the age of 18 years.
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These rights include: Survival rights : include the child’s right to life and the needs that are most basic to existence, such as nutrition, shelter, an adequate living standard, and access to medical services Development rights : include the right to education, play, leisure, cultural activities, access to information, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Protection rights : ensure children are safeguarded against all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation, including special care for refugee children; safeguards for children in the criminal justice system; protection for children in employment; protection and rehabilitation for children who have suffered exploitation or abuse of any kind. Participation rights : encompass children's freedom to express opinions, to have a say in matters affecting their own lives, to join associations and to assemble peacefully. As their abilities develop, children are to have increasing opportunities to participate in the activities of their society, in preparation for responsible adulthood.
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Currently in Australia these rights are being violated. Children are being exposed to domestic violence by: witnessing violence and abuse toward a parent, by intervening to protect a loved one, through living in a household filled with violence and terrorising behaviours, as well as being directly abused themselves.
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Research shows children exposed to domestic violence suffer from a range of Research shows children exposed to domestic violence Research shows children exposed to domestic violence suffer from a range of problems. These can include: depression, anxiety, increased aggression, antisocial behaviours, low self-esteem, loneliness, higher heart rates, and impaired cognitive function. Witnessing domestic violence also increases the chances of: eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, suicide attempts and substance abuse. In Australia it is estimated that 25% of children have witnessed an incident of domestic violence. That’s 5, 683, 667 children. heart rates, and impaired cognitive function . Witnessing domestic violence also increases the chances of , eating disorders, teenage pregnancy, suicide attempts and substance abuse.
In 2000, Australian children reported: 1220 cases Physical violence 1485 cases of Emotional abuse 171 cases of Sexual abuse 567 cases of Economic abuse 663 cases of Social abuse 488 cases of Spiritual abuse This was in a twelve month period. :
In 2000, Australian children reported: 1220 cases Physical violence 1485 cases of Emotional abuse 171 cases of Sexual abuse 567 cases of Economic abuse 663 cases of Social abuse 488 cases of Spiritual abuse This was in a twelve month period.
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In Australia on 24 March 2011, the Attorney-General introduced the Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill into Parliament. Following passage by the House of Representatives on 30 May 2011, the Bill was introduced into the Senate on 14 June 2011. The Bill, specifically targets family violence and child abuse. The Bill will amend the Family Law Act 1975 to: *prioritise children's safety *encourage people to bring forward evidence of family violence and child abuse, *help members of the public and family law professionals to better understand, disclose and act on family violence and child abuse. Help protect the rights of children. Please Say….”I’ll walk ”