KARA tracks current news about at risk children bringing transparency and attention to our youngest and most vulnerable citizens. This is only a sampling of what should be reported – the great majority of child trauma & abuse never gets reported.
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Malaysia – Sold into Marriage: How Rohingya Girls Become Child Brides in Malaysia.
Asia Pacific.
Young Rohingya girls escaping violence and brutality in Myanmar end up falling into the hands traffickers who sell them to older men in Malaysia. It, however, is common for Rohingya women and girls to marry Rohingya men in the countries they fled too, sometimes these marriages are arranged by families for young girls. In Malaysia child marriages are tolerated as girls under 16 may marry with permission from the Shariah court. In the case of the Rohingya girls, Rohingya imams conduct the marriages and print marriage certificates no indication of whether the certificate is legal under Malaysian law. With no legal recognition of the marriage it is difficult to receive intervention and help in cases of domestic abuse.
Indonesia – Singaporean Volunteers Bridge Education Gap in South Jakarta Neighbourhood.
The Straits Times.
In the face of expensive and privately run early childhood education, foreign teachers are volunteering their time to teach kids. Early childhood education is not mandatory in Indonesia but the government has gradually made steps to increase funding for early childhood education and education centres in every village. It is important the the government follow through on their plans as early childhood education is crucial for longterm and future social and educational development of a child.
South Asia’s Lawmakers Meeting Begins to Discuss Child Welfare.
The Kathmandu Post.
A meeting organized by UNICEF officers in South Asia aim to address issues of health, education and social security in relation to children. One Major problem faced in South Asia is child mortality, or the mortality of children under the age of 5. Another problem is the number of children who are out of school.
Bangladesh Child Marriage Law Sparks Criticism.
Asia Times.
Children as young as 14 may marry in Bangladesh, with the permission of their parents, despite the minimum age marriage for females being 18. There are specific ‘special circumstances’ which allow children to be married before the minimum age. These ‘special circumstances’ include girls who elope, are raped or bear children out of wedlock. A ruling party lawmaker states that the new law is reflected of the reality in villages and is intended to protect rights and dignity of children born out of wedlock. Human Rights Watch fears that this is a set back in the fight against child marriage.
http://www.atimes.com/article/bangladesh-child-marriage-law-sparks-criticizm/
Myanmar – Rape, Torture and Child Murder Alleged in New UN Report into Rakhine State.
CNN.
Families are fleeing to Bangladesh as Myanmar’s military forces rape, murder and torture Rohingya Muslims; a 5 year-old-girl had her throat slit after trying to save her mother from being raped. Myanmar’s military has for years inflicted brutal violence against the Rohingya Muslims and Myanmar’s government has simultaneously remained silent and denied claims of human rights abuses. Human rights abuses have been unable to be confirmed by journalists and aid agencies have had difficulties reaching the Rohingya people has Myanmar’s government has and continues to limit and restrict their access to the area.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/03/asia/rohingya-united-nations-report/
Afghanistan – Killed or Maimed, Afghan Conflict Takes a Rising Toll on Children.
The National.
With the escalating violence in Afghanistan children are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the violence and its consequences. Children are landing in hospital beds with serious injuries after being near bomb blasts and armed fire.
Spain – Madrid Officials Impound Bus with Anti-Transgender Message .
The Washington Post.
A organization that disapproves teaching sexual diversity in schools has plastered anti-transgender phrases on a bus, but authorities have stopped the bus from returning to the capital.
Albania – Human Trafficking: Poor Women and Girls Targeted in Albania.
BBC News.
Activists attribute human trafficking, of girls from Albania, to an entrenched male dominated culture in which women and girls are vulnerable to domestic violence, making them easy prey for traffickers. Many women and girls are duped into false marriages and lured by the promise of employment. Traffickers also engage in kidnapping and brutal tactics when moving girls across borders. While efforts have been made by the government to improve prosecutions, there is still room to increase and improve investigations, prosecutions and convictions. More also needs to be done to hold complicit officials accountable.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39047787
Uganda – Former Ugandan Circumciser Says She Will Never Go Back to Performing FGM.
United Nations Population Fund.
A member of the Sebei ethnic group has performed female genital mutilation procedures on many girls because she was told she had to keep her culture alive through the practice. After the Uganda government passed a law criminalizing FGM, she stopped the practice and turned to farming, willing and weeding instead. Through UNICEF education and awareness programs, stereotypes surrounding uncircumcised girls have now been discredited among many villagers.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/former-ugandan-circumciser-says-she-will-never-go-back-performing-fgm
Syria – War Crimes Committed by All Parties in Battle for Aleppo – UN Mandated Inquiry on Syria. UN News Centre.
The UN mandated report has found that hundreds of civilian children have suffered as parties in fighting for control over Aleppo have resorted to brutal tactics such as deliberately targeting hospitals and schools. The attack on the humanitarian convoy has resulted in the suspension of all humanitarian aid in the country. The report has also found that evacuation agreements have lead to force displacement of thousands of civilian with little to no choice of returning.
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56265#.WLnIxHcZOu6
Haiti Hotel Police Raid Exposes Child Sex Trafficking.
Reuters.
In a raid of a hotel resort police have rescued at least 31 women and girls from human sex trafficking. The police have also seized a computer containing phonographic images of children. American and Canadian tourists have been alleged to have paid for accommodations for children in the hotel. Despite Haiti having an anti-trafficking law, with prison sentences ranging from seven years up to life imprisonment, men, women, and children are bought and sold into labour and prostitution.http://www.reuters.com/article/us-haiti-humantrafficking-children-idUSKBN15M272
Migrant Children Turned Away from Schools in Russia.
Human Rights Watch.
A Department of Education, some local authorities, and some schools have exploited ambiguity in legislation to deny foreign children an education by requiring them to have proof of residency. Despite a ruling of the Russian Supreme Court, stating that there is no such requirement, headmasters have continued to deny children a spot in their schools. Activist groups and and human rights defenders have been able to change the mind of some headmasters, but many are calling on the Russian government to send a message to school officials that denying children access to education is not permitted.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/migrant-children-turned-away-schools-russia
Malaysia – Marrying Your Rapist in Malaysia.
Human Rights Watch.
In Malaysia those who rape young girls can escape charges and prosecution by marrying their victim as marital rape in Malaysia is not a crime. This, along with other ambiguous laws, have allowed rape cases to go uninvestigated and have also contributed to the number of child marriages in Malaysia. Despite calls from rights groups, the Malaysian government has yet to create legislature to ban child marriage.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/26/marrying-your-rapist-malaysia
Refugee Girls Often Left Behind Without Education.
Women E-News.
A commission has revealed that of the over 8 million girl refugees worldwide only 30% are in school. While in refugee camps, waiting to hear from the UN if they are able to resettle in a new country, girls receive little to no education. Delaying their education, along with the many other problems they face, puts refugee girls at a further disadvantage by causing an adverse domino effect in their development.
http://womensenews.org/2017/02/refugee-girls-often-left-behind-without-education/
Belgium Can Protect Kids During War by Protecting Schools.
Human Rights Watch.
The Safe Schools Declaration aims to protect children and schools during wartimes. Belgium has yet to endorse the Declaration despite their goal of protecting children during armed conflict. Safe schools is essential, particularly in wartimes or armed conflicts, as schools provide life saving information, medical treatment and access to a safe space to learn.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/belgium-can-protect-kids-during-war-protecting-schools
Indonesia – Did a Child Get Sick Farming the Tobacco in Your Cigarette?
Human Rights Watch.
Children as young as 8-years-old are presenting signs of acute nicotine poisoning after working on small scale tobacco farms. The trouble arises when multinational companies purchase their tobacco supply from traders on the open market, where children are directly involved in handling the tobacco. Multinational companies need to do more to ensure that their supply chains are free from child labour.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/did-child-get-sick-farming-tobacco-your-cigarette
Afghanistan – Afghan Girl Dreams of Going home Again.
Women’s E-News.
A teen girls tells her story of living in Afghanistan before arriving in the United States. She describes the atmosphere after a deadly suicide attack has occurred and the journeys of family and friends who have attempted to flee to Europe to escape war, discrimination and violence.
http://womensenews.org/2016/07/afghan-girl-dreams-of-going-home-again/
We Need to Secure Girls’ Rights. Let’s Start With Education.
Huffington Post.
The sad truth is that denying rights to young girls is not an isolated instance. Forced marriages, brutal assaults and human trafficking are sadly situations girls face in Africa, Middle East and Asia. In the parts of the world where there are violations of girls’ rights, there are also corresponding low literacy rates which may be intensifying the plight of many young girls across the world.
Burma – Security Forces Raped Rohingya Women, Girls.
Human Rights Watch.
Burmese military have been accused of raping, conducting invasive body searches and sexually assaulting women and girls of the ethnic minority group of the Rohingya people. Burmese government forces have also been accused of raiding villages and killing men, women, and children. The attacks are believed to be coordinated and systemic as the victims of the attacks describe the Burmese military shouting insults and threats along ethnic and religious lines, and these attacks have been carried out in villages with predominately the Rohingya people. The government has been criticized for conducting problematic interviews and contesting rape allegations rather than providing access for rape victims to health care and medical facilities.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/06/burma-security-forces-raped-rohingya-women-girls
On Valentine’s Day, Say #IDONT.
United Nations Population Fund.
The UNFPA has partnered with artists to raise awareness about child marriage. A photographer has visited Nepal and Iraq in places, such as displacement camps, where girls are more vulnerable to child marriage. He asked the girls about that they dream their futures to be. Many of the girls are not strangers to what child marriage is and what the possible consequences are. One girl has seen her beast friend die while giving birth at 16. A girl, 11-years-old, had witness 2 of her sisters being forced to marry or else militant forces, warned their father, would take them and marry them to one of their soldiers.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/valentines-day-say-idont
Gambia – Dropping the Knife: One Woman Joins the Fight for Women’s Right in the Gambia.
United Nations Population Fund.
A woman who previously prepared girls for circumcisions, by inheriting the role from her family, is now fighting against the practice. After learning that FGM was what was causing the girls to fall sick, she now shares her knowledge of how FGM is negatively affecting girls and how it violates the rights of girls with with religious leaders, circumcisers, local authorities, and community members. She encourages them to abandon the practice.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/dropping-knife-one-woman-joins-fight-womens-rights-gambia
Britain Has Sullied Its Proud History of Helping Child Refugees.
Human Rights Watch.
Initially British lawmakers pointed to accepting thousands of children from across Europe who fled the Syrian civil war. Recently, however, it was revealed that they will only be admitting 350 children, and no more. First the government explained that this decrease was due to a limited capacity of local authorities to care for the children, and then their reasoning switched, stating that accepting more children under the previous provision would encourage human trafficking.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/10/britain-has-sullied-its-proud-history-helping-child-refugees
Migrant Children Turned Away from Schools in Russia.
Human Rights Watch.
A Department of Education, some local authorities, and some schools have exploited ambiguity in legislation to deny foreign children an education by requiring them to have proof of residency. Despite a ruling of the Russian Supreme Court, stating that there is no such requirement, headmasters have continued to deny children a spot in their schools. Activist groups and and human rights defenders have been able to change the mind of some headmasters, but many are calling on the Russian government to send a message to school officials that denying children access to education is not permitted.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/migrant-children-turned-away-schools-russia
Malaysia – Marrying Your Rapist in Malaysia.
Human Rights Watch.
In Malaysia those who rape young girls can escape charges and prosecution by marrying their victim as marital rape in Malaysia is not a crime. This, along with other ambiguous laws, have allowed rape cases to go uninvestigated and have also contributed to the number of child marriages in Malaysia. Despite calls from rights groups, the Malaysian government has yet to create legislature to ban child marriage.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/26/marrying-your-rapist-malaysia
Refugee Girls Often Left Behind Without Education.
Women E-News.
A commission has revealed that of the over 8 million girl refugees worldwide only 30% are in school. While in refugee camps, waiting to hear from the UN if they are able to resettle in a new country, girls receive little to no education. Delaying their education, along with the many other problems they face, puts refugee girls at a further disadvantage by causing an adverse domino effect in their development.
http://womensenews.org/2017/02/refugee-girls-often-left-behind-without-education/
Belgium Can Protect Kids During War by Protecting Schools.
Human Rights Watch.
The Safe Schools Declaration aims to protect children and schools during wartimes. Belgium has yet to endorse the Declaration despite their goal of protecting children during armed conflict. Safe schools is essential, particularly in wartimes or armed conflicts, as schools provide life saving information, medical treatment and access to a safe space to learn.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/belgium-can-protect-kids-during-war-protecting-schools
Indonesia – Did a Child Get Sick Farming the Tobacco in Your Cigarette?
Human Rights Watch.
Children as young as 8-years-old are presenting signs of acute nicotine poisoning after working on small scale tobacco farms. The trouble arises when multinational companies purchase their tobacco supply from traders on the open market, where children are directly involved in handling the tobacco. Multinational companies need to do more to ensure that their supply chains are free from child labour.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/09/did-child-get-sick-farming-tobacco-your-cigarette
Afghanistan – Afghan Girl Dreams of Going home Again.
Women’s E-News.
A teen girls tells her story of living in Afghanistan before arriving in the United States. She describes the atmosphere after a deadly suicide attack has occurred and the journeys of family and friends who have attempted to flee to Europe to escape war, discrimination and violence.
http://womensenews.org/2016/07/afghan-girl-dreams-of-going-home-again/
We Need to Secure Girls’ Rights. Let’s Start With Education.
Huffington Post.
The sad truth is that denying rights to young girls is not an isolated instance. Forced marriages, brutal assaults and human trafficking are sadly situations girls face in Africa, Middle East and Asia. In the parts of the world where there are violations of girls’ rights, there are also corresponding low literacy rates which may be intensifying the plight of many young girls across the world.
Burma – Security Forces Raped Rohingya Women, Girls.
Human Rights Watch.
Burmese military have been accused of raping, conducting invasive body searches and sexually assaulting women and girls of the ethnic minority group of the Rohingya people. Burmese government forces have also been accused of raiding villages and killing men, women, and children. The attacks are believed to be coordinated and systemic as the victims of the attacks describe the Burmese military shouting insults and threats along ethnic and religious lines, and these attacks have been carried out in villages with predominately the Rohingya people. The government has been criticized for conducting problematic interviews and contesting rape allegations rather than providing access for rape victims to health care and medical facilities.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/06/burma-security-forces-raped-rohingya-women-girls
On Valentine’s Day, Say #IDONT.
United Nations Population Fund.
The UNFPA has partnered with artists to raise awareness about child marriage. A photographer has visited Nepal and Iraq in places, such as displacement camps, where girls are more vulnerable to child marriage. He asked the girls about that they dream their futures to be. Many of the girls are not strangers to what child marriage is and what the possible consequences are. One girl has seen her beast friend die while giving birth at 16. A girl, 11-years-old, had witness 2 of her sisters being forced to marry or else militant forces, warned their father, would take them and marry them to one of their soldiers.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/valentines-day-say-idont
Gambia – Dropping the Knife: One Woman Joins the Fight for Women’s Right in the Gambia.
United Nations Population Fund.
A woman who previously prepared girls for circumcisions, by inheriting the role from her family, is now fighting against the practice. After learning that FGM was what was causing the girls to fall sick, she now shares her knowledge of how FGM is negatively affecting girls and how it violates the rights of girls with with religious leaders, circumcisers, local authorities, and community members. She encourages them to abandon the practice.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/dropping-knife-one-woman-joins-fight-womens-rights-gambia
Britain Has Sullied Its Proud History of Helping Child Refugees.
Human Rights Watch.
Initially British lawmakers pointed to accepting thousands of children from across Europe who fled the Syrian civil war. Recently, however, it was revealed that they will only be admitting 350 children, and no more. First the government explained that this decrease was due to a limited capacity of local authorities to care for the children, and then their reasoning switched, stating that accepting more children under the previous provision would encourage human trafficking.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/02/10/britain-has-sullied-its-proud-history-helping-child-refugees
Syria – New Study Finds Child Marriage Rising Among Most Vulnerable Syrian Refugees.
United Nations Population Fund.
Since the the Syria civil war child marriage is four times as much than before the crisis. The UNPF argues in favour of educating and raising awareness among refugee communities about the dangers of child marriage. Through out-reach programs that engages parents, community leaders, and health care workers, young people have been empowered to take a stand against child marriage.
Australia – Man ‘Raped 14-Year-Old Child Bride After Illegal Ceremony.’
The Independent.
A 34-year-old man is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl after have forcing the girl into marriage. The imam who officiated the wedding has been been dismissed from his position, had his marriage celebrant licence revoked, and also faces charges related to the marriage.
Africa – Scourge of Child Marriage in Africa Continues.
Human Rights Watch.
Young girls and boys attempting to escape poverty end up falling into right back into it and possibly more dangers, such as violence, when they enter into child marriage. This fact, along with the fact that some African nations have the highest rates of child marriage, has pushed African head of states to put child marriage on their agenda. If expedient changes does not occur, the number of child brides will double by 2050 according to Human Rights Watch.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/01/31/scourge-child-marriage-africa-continues
Colombia – In Colombia, Efforts to End FGM are Empowering Women to be Leaders.
United Nations Population Fund.
Girls from an impoverished and marginalized indigenous group are being subjected to genital mutilation in communities where they lack the knowledge of possible health consequences or human rights. Where FGM is prevalent, they explain that the practice it to prevent a girl’s genitals from growing into those of a boy and to prevent infidelity. Often these communities performs the practice underground and without knowledge to many, subsequently resulting in unreliable and very little statistics. A program launched in Colombia aims to work with women and girls in communities, along with women leaders, to end the practice by empowering them to lead difficult yet necessary conversations.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/colombia-efforts-end-fgm-are-empowering-women-be-leaders
Yemen – Child Marriages on the Rise amid Yemeni Conflict.
The National.
After not being able to find work during the civil war, parents are forced to marry off their children out of desperation for money. Parents see nothing wrong with marrying their daughters who are under 18 because they look to religion, culture and their economic troubles for justification. Parents overlook the health consequences their children may face, the possibility that they would be put to work as a servant, and the likelihood that their children will drop out of school.
http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/child-marriages-on-the-rise-amid-yemeni-conflict
Bangladesh – If You Don’t Want Child Brides in Bangladesh, Don’t Accept Them Here in Britain Either.
Huffington Post.
Despite the minimum age of marriage being 18 in the U.K., there are exceptions to this standards where a child under 18 may marry with or without their parents’ permission or with a judge’s approval. Citing the U.K.’s standards, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh is seeking to lower the age of marriage for girls, from the current age of 18, with not exceptions. If U.K. laws regarding child marriages, forced or otherwise, remains as they are, Bangladesh will have an excuse to take steps backwards in activists’ fight against child marriage.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5891e025e4b080b3dad6fdc4?timestamp=1485955384777
Indonesia: Child Tobacco Workers Suffer as Firms Profit.
Human Rights Watch.
Tobacco farms are not the only farms on which children in Indonesia work, more the 1.5 million children work in agriculture in Indonesia. Children working on tobacco farms as labourers are subject to hazardous conditions and consequently are vulnerable to both negative short and long term health and development effects. Children are exposed to, for instances, pesticides and nicotine. Companies need to greater responsibility in knowing where their tobacco comes and the Indonesian government needs to protect children from exposure to hazardous labour/
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/05/25/indonesia-child-tobacco-workers-suffer-firms-profit
Botswana – In Botswana, Future Depends on Investments in Young People/
United Nations Population Fund.
As a result of having to drop out of school, children and young people are more vulnerable to disease and unintended pregnancies. Those who do stay in school, as well those who have dropped out, do not receive a comprehensive sexual education that would teach them about HIV and methods of contraception. Children and young people further lack investment in economic reform and job creation that you support them in their working life. Investments are key as investing in children and young people will benefit society greater than the initial value of investment.
http://www.unfpa.org/news/botswana-future-depends-investments-young-people
UNICEF Launches $3.3 BLN Appeal Amid De-funding Fears.
Yahoo News.
Fears of its top donor, the United States, cutting voluntary contributions has forced UNICEF to increase 2017’s appeal for donations to help the 48 million children in crisis worldwide. Despite appeal projects for donations, children in, for example, Yemen, South Sudan, and Nigeria are dying, not going to school and not being protected from violence. UNICEF warns that the consequences will not only affect children, but lack of investment in children will have effects on global and regional security.
India to Review Stand on Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
The Times of India.
An inter-level meeting of commissions, ministries and judges has been set up to review India’s position on the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Signing the convection signifies an agreement to protect children from abduction and retention across international boundaries, as well as ensuring their expeditious return. India’s Women and Child Development Ministry states that signing the convention will only be possible if there are safeguards for the protection of women and children. The Ministry makes an argument for including safeguards for parents by explaining that those who have married Indians abroad are compelled to return to India with their children after facing violence in their marriage.
India – Child Marriage Brings Prosperity, Believes teens Who Were Married off in Hyderabad.
Janta Ka Reporter.
Despite wanting to continue their education, and the fact that child marriage is illegal, children agree to these marriages because they are told that it is family tradition and will bring prosperity to their lives and that of their families. Parents of the children support there types of marriages by tying it to religion.
India – Children Can’t Be Used for Election Campaign: child Rights Panel Issues Stern Warning.
The New Indian Express.
Child rights advocacy groups raise allegations of political parties using children in their election campaigns. Electoral Officers were criticized for allowing children to operate electronic voting machines. Despite the ban in the Child Labour Act of children below 14 years old working in specific occupations, there are still millions of child labourers working in hazardous industries.
India – Five-Year Deadline Set to End Child Marriages in Karnataka.
The Hindu.
A Chief Minister plans to build on the momentum of the decrease in child marriages by planning to completely eradicate child marriages in the next five years. The amended Child Marriage Act increases powers to the police, increases penalties, and intends to take a more expedient approach to resolve cases.
Pakistan – Projects to Fight Child Labour Found Wanting.
The Express Tribune.
Projects aim to remove children from the brick kiln sector and empower them with primary level education and skills training. A new act, entitled the Employment of Children Act-2017, seeks to fine employers who hire children below 14-year-old.
Despite efforts to create programs that would fight child labour, incidents continue to surface of children who do not fall within the radar of the projects; money instead is wasted on corporate events.
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1311017/blot-society-projects-fight-child-labour-found-wanting/
India – 39 Child Labourers Rescued in Indore.
The Times of India.
An NGO rescues as many as 39 child labourers from an unauthorized bad manufacturer, which operated out of residential buildings without permission. The children were found in alarming conditions. The children have been given temporary stay at an administrative department’s shelter homes, along with health checkups and counselling.
China to Protect Migrant Workers’ ‘Left-Behind’ Children.
BBC News.
Parents are forced to leave their children behind in rural villages as they move to city centres to earn money as migrant workers. Some of the children are left with extended families, but many children end up living alone; as a result, these children are vulnerable to abuses. A man, working as a school teacher in a remote mountainous region between 2012 and 2013, molested 7 children, leaving the girls with sexually transmitted diseases. An attached story reveals the details of the schooling 2013 scandal involving left behind children.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35581716
India – Only Strict and Speedy Implementation of Laws Can Check Child Abuse.
Hindustan Times.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has released a map depicting problems that children are vulnerable to across India, including child marriage, trafficking, sexual abuse and low literacy rates. While the map is accompanied by useful data and comprehensive plans, the government and its agencies needs to follow through with their plans expeditiously and put children first.
Cameroon: Child Protection – National Policy Document Underway.
All Africa.
Government services and social and cultural society can no longer meet the needs of child protection, subsequently leaving children having to take steps to protect themselves which may result in behaviours that further jeopardizes their futures. The Director of the Social Protection of Children, at the Ministry of Social Affairs, reveals a national development plan to ensure that the protection of child development is taken into account in all aspects of national policy development.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201701250837.html
India – Indian Government to Ally With Charities to Combat Child Porn Online.
Reuters.
Ministries, charities, and police attempts a joint effort to combat online child abuse and exploitation. The cooperation of these groups hopes to develop strategies to educate parents and teachers of children’s rights and what steps they can take to protect children from exposure to abuse and exploitation, on and offline.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-children-pornography-idUSKBN15025W
India – Access to Schools is One of the Biggest Hindrances to Thousands Getting Education, Here is How an NGO Wants to Change It.
Indian Times.
An NGO is trying to make education more accessible to children across the world. The NGO looks at the needs of each country because the reasons why children lack access to education may differ from country to country. For instance, in India, the sheer distance from is what prevents some children from attending school. The NGO also intends to provide more books and a computer lab for a school to make learning easier for the children.
India – Child Labour Abuse by Servitors at Puri Jagannath Temple: Child Welfare Committee.
The Times of India.
A government approved body has found children engaged as labourers at a temple and temple’s shops. The government says they have received complaints of children carrying out several endangering tasks around the temple.
India – Indian Ministry to Crack Down on Online Child Abuse.
Guiding Tech.
A consultation, involving several government agencies, ministries, and NGOs, has developed strategies to illustrate the dangers of online child abuse to everyday society. The Ministry of Women and Child Development aims to explain how online child abuse amplifies the dangers children are exposed to in reality and how their long term physical and mental health may suffer.
http://www.guidingtech.com/63915/india-counters-online-child-abuse/
Minecraft: Grooming Dangers for Children Gaming Online.
BBC News.
A 22-year-old man has been jailed for sexually grooming children and persuading them to carry out sexual acts, through the online game. A UK children charity warns of the dangerous online gaming presents. They warn that with increasing internet usage, children must be taught how to safely use the internet. The charity explains that there are several indicators of whether a child is being approached or groomed by paedophiles online. Many of the indicators are simpler than one may expect.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-38284216
Australia: UN Asks Australia to Better Protect Vulnerable Girls and Women
Latin American Herald Tribune – February 27, 2017
The United Nations urged Australia on Monday to improve the protection of vulnerable girls and women, including indigenous, asylum seekers, disabled and victims of domestic violence. Simonovic also spoke about the practice of separating aboriginal children from their families and recalled that the statistics show that aboriginals are seven times more likely than their non-indigenous peers to be linked to child protection services due to negligence and abuse.
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12395&ArticleId=2431909
Malaysia: When Laws Do More Harm Than Good (in child sexual abuse cases) (Opinion) (Audio)
Investor.com – February 28, 2017
Since Richard Huckle made headlines last year, the discussion surrounding child sexual predators and crimes have been in the forefront of news. But sadly, most complaints of child sexual abuse in Malaysia do not lead to successful prosecutions, largely due to weaknesses within the nation’s criminal justice system, police, lawmakers and child welfare. To understand why, we look into the steps and processes behind lodging a child sexual abuse case, and what flaws present themselves along the way, and how we should go about fixing them.
http://klse.i3investor.com/blogs/bfm_podcast/117112.jsp
United Arab Emirates: UAE spares no efforts to protect and provide dignified life to children
Arab Today – February 25, 2017
Due to economic, social and security pressures, thousands of children end up carrying arms and participate in fighting. They are being used to back rebel and armed groups, to carry supplies and ammunition and even injured soldiers, gather military intelligence and conduct reconnaissance missions, cook and sometimes they are sexually abused or used as human shields,” the UAE Minister said and noted that recently more children were used to carry out suicide attacks. The UN member states should change their policies to protect children from being recruited in war, she said.
Canada: Statement by the Canada Border Services Agency on housing of Canadian children in immigration holding centres (Press release)
Sys-Con Media – February 24, 2017
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) welcomes the University of Toronto’s International Human Rights Program (IHRP) report on Canadian children housed in immigration detention. As part of the Government of Canada’s new National Immigration Detention Framework, the CBSA is committed to creating a better, fairer immigration detention system for the dignified treatment of individuals. This includes avoiding detaining and housing children in detention facilities as much as possible while avoiding family separation, and using community-based alternatives to detention to limit the housing of children in detention facilities.
http://news.sys-con.com/node/4018705
India: These women told tales of child abuse and won over Hyderabad
Times of India – February 26, 2017
The anticipation was palpable as the audience poured into Lamakaan much earlier than the scheduled time to catch the much spoken about theatre production Positively Shameless. And the play that put the spotlight on child sexual abuse completely lived up to the expectations.
Also: Play on child abuse touches raw nerve with audience: http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2017/feb/26/play-on-child-abuse-touches-raw-nerve-with-audience-1574945.html
South Africa: Welfare’s empty coffers a sign of big collapse: Kids in ‘grave danger’
Times (South Africa) – February 27, 2017
Child Welfare SA, which helps to protect an estimated 2 million children, has run out of money and is on the brink of collapse. About 70 employees, most of them social workers, have not been paid for two months and the national director of the organisation, Peter Cloete, says he does not know when they will be.
United Kingdom: The child abuse scandal of the British children sent abroad
BBC News – February 26, 2017
For several decades, the UK sent children across the world to new lives in institutions where many were abused and used as forced labour. It’s a scandal that is still having repercussions now.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39078652
Australia: Catholic leader says not ‘remotely enough’ supervision to prevent child sexual abuse
Guardian – February 23, 2017
“I can’t pretend we have remotely sufficient supervision for me to be assured that they are not misbehaving again,” he told the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in Sydney. “I have puzzled about it this now for several years.”
Canada: Identity, belonging, purpose, key to kids well-being, says Sixties Scoop survivor
CBC News – February 22, 2017
The woman who led thousands of Indigenous adoptees to a hard-won victory in the Sixties Scoop lawsuit says she could not have done it if she had not reconnected with her roots. Marcia Brown Martel was the lead plaintiff in an eight-year court battle that ended Feb. 14, when a judge said that Canada breached its duty of care to 16,000 First Nations children in Ontario who were placed in non-Indigenous care by child welfare agencies between 1965 and 1984.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/marcia-brown-martel-1.3992544
Cyprus: NGO and government launch fostering programme for unaccompanied minors
Cyprus Mail – February 21, 2017
Hope For Children CRC Policy Centre, is implementing a pilot programme for fostering unaccompanied minors in cooperation with the government, it said on Tuesday. “Many unaccompanied children arriving in Cyprus, have either lost their parents/guardians or were separated from them. In order to improve the reception conditions of this vulnerable group,” the NGO said in a statement.
http://cyprus-mail.com/2017/02/21/ngo-government-launch-fostering-programme-unaccompanied-minors/
India: Adoption centre heads arrested over trafficking
Voice of Asia Online – February 21, 2017
Indian police said Tuesday they have arrested the heads of an adoption centre suspected of selling at least 17 children to foreign couples, the latest trafficking scandal to hit the country.
http://voiceofasiaonline.com/featured/india-adoption-centre-heads-arrested-over-trafficking/
United Kingdom: Britain can’t just pretend that child refugees are someone else’s problem (Opinion)
Times – February 21, 2017
Doing our bit to help vulnerable children is not a party political issue but a basic human value, and something we have been very proud of in the UK. By working together, we hope to ensure that the British government continues to offer a system that works for, not against, children seeking safety.
Europe: Child-Refugee Crisis
New Yorker – February 27, 2017
Wasil was stunned by the conditions of the Jungle. The camp, a forty-acre assemblage of tents, situated on a vast windswept sandlot that had formerly served as a landfill, didn’t seem fit for human habitation. “I did not come here for luxury,” Wasil told me, in excellent English, which he had learned from his father. “But I can’t believe this is happening in Europe.” A chemical plant loomed nearby. There was no running water, and when it rained the refugees’ tents filled with mud and the camp’s rudimentary roads became impassable.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/europes-child-refugee-crisis?mbid=rss
Malawi: How Madonna Managed to Beat the Law of Adoption
All Africa – February 14, 2017
The judge also expressed concern that without the ‘residence’ check, uncontrolled inter-country adoptions could ‘actually facilitate trafficking of children’: ‘Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect’.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201702190173.html
Russia: Economic Crisis Increases Return of Adopted Children in Russia
Moscow Times – February 17, 2017
The number of adoptive families in Russia’s northern Komi Republic dropped by nearly one hundred in 2016, the region’s Deputy Labor Minister Alexei Zezegov said at a local government meeting on Wednesday. Families are returning adopted children to the region’s orphanages, Zezegov explained, because they don’t have enough money to raise them.
United Kingdom: Catholic church’s child protection body would have broad secrecy powers, inquiry told
Guardian – February 19, 2017
The church announced late last year it would create Catholic Professional Standards (CPS) to lead its efforts on child protection. But the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse heard on Monday that CPS would have broad powers to keep the audits from being published.
Jamaica: Importance of Foster Care Being Highlighted
Jamaica Information Service – February 16, 2017
The Child Development Agency (CDA) is observing its annual National Foster Care Recognition Week from February 12 to 18, under the theme: ‘Your Home Makes a Difference’.
http://jis.gov.jm/importance-foster-care-highlighted/
Canada: Williams Lake Indian Band moves toward independent child welfare
Williams Lake Tribune – February 14, 2017
Responding to last week’s report on the suicide death of 18-year-old Alex Gervais in government care, Williams Lake Indian Band Chief Ann Louie said she doesn’t agree with aging out children staying as independents in hotels.
http://www.wltribune.com/news/413770723.html
Ireland: Body paid out 6m pounds to child abuse sufferers
Raidió Teilifís Éireann – February 16, 2017
Survivors of institutional child abuse in industrial schools received around 6m pounds’ worth of services over the second half of last year from the statutory body overseeing the distribution of funds pledged by the eighteen religious congregations which ran the institutions and a reformatory.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0216/853009-child-abuse/
United Kingdom: Child sexual abuse: Agencies to get 40 Million Pound funding boost
BBC News – February 16, 2017
The cash will go towards bringing offenders to justice, targeting online exploitation, and protecting vulnerable children at risk of trafficking. A new 7.5m pound “centre of expertise” will be set up to offer support and guidance to professionals on the front line. But councils are warning that a “funding gap” of 1.9bn pounds could put child protection services at risk.
Also: Amber Rudd vows to end ‘horror’ of sickening child sexual abuse in UK with 40m pound plan: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/767804/amber-rudd-vows-horror-child-sexual-abuse-UK-40million-plan
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-38983951
Canada: Ontario judge rules in favour of ‘Sixties Scoop’ survivors
Vice – February 14, 2017
An Ontario court has ruled in favour of thousands of Indigenous people who were stripped of their cultural identities when they were taken from their homes on reserves by child protection workers and placed with white families.
International: Study looks at ways to prevent homelessness among youth with intellectual, developmental disabilities (Includes video)
Medical Xpress – February 13, 2017
Taking place in Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara, the project is bringing together- for the first time – representatives from multiple sectors, service agencies, frontline workers, co-researchers with experiences of homelessness and disability, and youth themselves to study the intersection of intellectual/developmental disability and homelessness.
https://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-ways-homelessness-youth-intellectual-developmental.html
Australia: Good news and bad news in child protection (Opinion)
Catallaxy Files – February 11, 2017
The bad news is from South Australia following the report last year. Given that the report only recommended more resources to do much the same things it is not surprising that The Fresh Start is just a new department and more people but no sign of a move in the direction of adoption.
http://catallaxyfiles.com/2017/02/11/good-news-and-bad-news-in-child-protection/
France: Women and children ‘endure rape, beatings and abuse’ inside Dunkirk’s refugee camp
Guardian – February 11, 2017
Children and women are being raped by traffickers inside a refugee camp in northern France, according to detailed testimony gathered ahead of fresh legal action against the UK government’s approach to the welfare of unaccompanied minors. Corroborating accounts from volunteers, medics, refugees and other officials reveal that sexual abuse is common within the large camp at Dunkirk and that children and women are forced to have sex by traffickers in return for blankets or food or the offer of passage to the UK.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/12/dunkirk-child-refugees-risk-sexual-violence
United Kingdom: Compassion Fatigue? Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
Liberal Democrat Voice – February 10, 2017
On Wednesday there was the announcement that we would not take any more child refugees. Noticeable that the government released this statement the same day of the Brexit vote! And this story was not even on front pages yesterday.
http://www.libdemvoice.org/compassion-fatigue-unacconpanied-asylumseeking-children-53263.html
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India: Why This Collaborative Wants Philanthropy to Stop Funding Orphanages
Inside Philanthropy – February 09, 2017
As part of its mission, Elevate Children Funders Group (ECFG) “strongly believes and supports the idea that children are best able to thrive and reach their full potential when they remain with their families and communities rather than living in an orphanage.” As the members of ECFG see it, philanthropists should stop giving money to build or improve orphanages, and instead “invest in opportunities that build strong families and communities.”
Finland: Foster homes sought for child refugees
Yle – February 08, 2017
The Save the Children organization is seeking foster homes for unaccompanied refugee children who have been granted asylum in Finland. The EU-funded project will mark the first time that child refugees are placed in private homes in this country.
http://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/foster_homes_sought_for_child_refugees/9448174
International: Isis targeting child refugees, warns report (Opinion)
International Business Times – February 06, 2017
Hundreds of unaccompanied minors have vanished from the UK care system – which urges European authorities to take action to protect vulnerable refugees targeted by extremists – since arriving in the country. According to the report, IS are active in refugee camps outside Europe, distributing food and offering to pay the cost of passage into Europe in exchange for the loyalty of children.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/isis-targeting-child-refugees-warns-report-1605034
Russia: Commentary: Trump should push Putin on adoption ban
Chicago Tribune – February 07, 2017
In pursuing his desire for a “good relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump should push for a revocation of Russia’s cruel law banning Americans from adopting Russian children. My wife, Brenda, was fortunate enough to adopt our daughter, Marta, from a Russian orphanage in August 2012, just months before the ban took effect.
Australia: Royal Commission releases damning statistics of child abuse in Australian Catholic Church
New Kerala – February 06, 2017
Seven percent of Australia’s Catholic priests were accused of abusing children in the six decades since 1950, according to new data from the Royal Commission.
http://www.newkerala.com/news/fullnews-225753.html
Canada: Ministry Says Supports ‘Available’ to Youth Exiting Province’s Care. How Available?
TYEE – February 05, 2017
A guide to options for at-risk young adults, and why advocates say they aren’t enough.
https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/02/06/Foster-Youth-Exiting-Care/
Greece: Unaccompanied Minors in Greece: Who Can ‘Save’ Them?
University of Oxford, Faculty of Law – February 06, 2017
It is estimated that unaccompanied minors accounted for approximately 35 per cent of the total population that crossed from Turkey to Greece in 2015.
India: New online adoption system fails orphans
Mid-Day.com – February 05, 2017
Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) from The Adoption Federation of Maharashtra (AFM) – an association of the state’s 65 adoption agencies – that helps facilitate the adoption process in the state.
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/new-online-adoption-system-fails-orphans-mumbai-news/17966196
International: Deadliest winter for refugee and migrant children crossing the Central Mediterranean, says UNICEF (Press release)
Press Release Point – February 03, 2017
A record number of refugee and migrant deaths in the Mediterranean over the past three months, including an estimated 190 children*, has prompted an urgent appeal from UNICEF to leaders of European Union member states meeting in Malta.
Switzerland: Portraits help ‘stolen children’ reclaim their lives
swissinfo – February 04, 2017
A series of photographs showing in the Swiss capital Bern tell the story of Switzerland’s ‘discarded children’.
United Kingdom: Number of alleged child sex offences committed by other children almost doubles
Telegraph – February 03, 2017
The number of children being investigated by police for sexual offences has almost doubled in the last four years. Children potentially face being criminalised for committing sex offences against other youngsters, an investigation found, with a rise in the use of smartphones thought to be a contributing factor.
Canada: Minister Bennett Announces Launch of Negotiations Towards National Resolution to Sixties Scoop Litigation (Press release)
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs – February 01, 2017
Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, made the following statement: “I am pleased to announce an important step in Canada’s journey of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples: Our government will launch negotiations towards a national resolution to Sixties Scoop litigation.”
http://www.tickertech.com/cgi/?a=news&ticker=a&w=&story=201702201702011659CANADANWWEB______C7651
United Kingdom: Yasmin Qureshi backs bill to end child poverty in UK
Manchester Gazette – February 01, 2017
Yasmin Qureshi MP has backed a Private Member’s Bill which would reinstate a target to reduce child poverty in the UK. The target to reduce child poverty was scrapped by the Conservative Government in 2016, along with the UK Government’s duty to produce child poverty strategies and report on them annually. The target aimed to eradicate child poverty by 2020.
http://manchestergazette.co.uk/yasmin-qureshi-backs-bill-end-child-poverty-uk-3019/
Colombia: Last child soldiers from Colombias rebel ranks to be freed
Reuters – January 30, 2017
Nearly 3,700 children have been recruited into FARC ranks since 1999 and nearly one in five joined the rebel group aged 15, according to Colombia’s child welfare agency (ICBF).
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-colombia-peace-idUSKBN15E1TQ
United Kingdom: Social workers not treating foster carers ‘as equal’, report says
Community Care – January 31, 2017
A widespread survey by The Fostering Network found that foster carers felt pressured to take on cases outside of their approved range
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2017/01/31/social-workers-treating-foster-carers-equal-report-says/
