Covid-19: Child safety a priority during lockdown
The group raised its concerns that the Covid-19 lockdown, including the restriction of movement, loss of income, isolation, overcrowding and higher stress levels would increase the likelihood that children would experience some form of abuse.
Signatories from major relief and charity organisations – including the World Health Organisation and UNICEF – have released a statement asking the citizens of the world to consider the safety of children as a third of the world’s population is in lockdown.
“As leaders of organisations committed to ending violence against children, we come together in solidarity to share our deep concern, call for action and pledge our support to protect children from violence and reduce the impact of Covid-19 on children in every country and community,” the joint statement read.
The group raised its concerns that the Covid-19 lockdown, including the restriction of movement, loss of income, isolation, overcrowding and higher stress levels would increase the likelihood that children would experience some form of abuse. This problem was exacerbated by the necessity of digital connections which also increased children’s exposure to online threats.
“We must act now,” read the statement. “Together, we call on governments, the international community and leaders in every sector to urgently respond with a united effort to protect children from the heightened risk of violence, exploitation and abuse as part of the broader response to Covid-19.” The statement added that governments played a central role in protecting children and that all Covid-19 prevention measures should integrate measures to protect them from violence, neglect and abuse.
The collective response recommended included maintaining essential health and social welfare services, as well as ensuring the safety of children in vulnerable situations, children in institutions and in alternative care arrangements. The channels used by children to reach help, such as national helplines and school counsellors should, they said, be adapted for the challenges associated with lockdown. Technology and telecoms providers were advised to do everything possible to keep children safe online. This included providing access to help lines and age appropriate services, but also detecting and stopping harmful activity against children online.
“As global organisations working to end violence against children, we will continue to advocate for and invest in effective child protection solutions. We will collectively develop and share technical resources and guidance for policymakers, practitioners, parents, caregivers and children themselves. And we will support the courageous health, child protection and humanitarian professionals working around the clock to keep children safe during these unprecedented times,” the statement concluded.
