Governments around the world must ensure that children are at the centre of any moves to address coronavirus and its aftermath, according to Mercy Jumo, World Vision Australia’s senior policy advisor on child rights.
In an interview with Sight, Jumo said evidence from a range of sources – including a World Vision report as well as reports from law enforcement sources including Europol and the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline – showed that abuse against children has increased significantly during coronavirus lockdowns around the world.
“Before the lockdowns, we know that children were already exposed to high levels of violence, so the lockdowns just make it worse and more difficult [to hold offenders accountable],” she said, noting that in many nations the social support systems – whether official or not – to which children can normally turn are no longer available.
Children praying in South Sudan during the coronavirus pandemic. PICTURE: Courtesy of World Vision
In the May report, World Vision estimated that an additional 85 million children are in danger of physical, sexual and emotional violence over the three months to August as a result of the coronavirus lockdowns, adding to the billion children who already face such violence.
Jumo said that as result, it is critical that governments include children in post-pandemic recovery programs.
“Every government sits around and plans how to stop the spread of the virus and how to recover from the virus,” she said. “They must think of children and put children at the centre of their decision-making. That means…agreeing that violence against children takes place and that COVID-19 presents an additional risk to children, it’s a threat to children’s health and well-being, and that child protection services are recognised as essential.”
Jumo said child protection services must be adequately resourced to ensure they can do their job in protecting children both within and without a COVID-19 environment and that pre-COVID funding levels at least be protected.
“What is being asked is that child protection be made a priority and that it be incorporated into all the response plans at a national level…” she said. “Ending violence against children has been a seriously under-funded area.”
Jumo said that when considering the negative impact of child abuse over a person’s life, “it’s best to invest in stopping violence and abuse than treating the damaged child or adult”.
“Because the effect of the abuse continues into adulthood.”
To donate to World Vision Australia’s Coronavirus Appeal, head to www.worldvision.com.au/end-corona.
