International Day Against Child Abuse: Why Denaturalization of Violent Punishment in Children is Essential

On April 25, the World Day Against Child Abuse is commemorated around the world, an opportunity to promote the rights of children and adolescents. reflect on the need to not naturalize abuse as a parental option.

Child abuse is considered action, omission or negligent treatment, who voluntarily deprives the child of his / her rights and well-beingwho threatens or interferes with their adequate physical or mental development and whose authors may be individuals, institutions or other social domains, family being a priority, as the first small school in which you can find the best or the worst for the children's life experience.

according to Magali Lamfir, Protection consultant of Unicef, some generations have grown up with zamarreos, chirlos and other physical and psychological punishments. "All these practices are naturalized and do not badociate them with a violent education," he said. Lamfir.

"What should be a children's home is often torture. From my experience, when there are situations of economic and social uncertainty, the loss of employment directly affects individuals and has a direct impact on the emotions and behavior of adults, it's when they experience more situations of abuse, "he said. Infobae Alejandro Castro Santander, specialist in the management of coexistence and the prevention of violence in schools

In figures, in Argentina, methods of violent discipline, including physical punishment and psychological abuse, affects 7 out of 10 boys and girls aged 2 to 4, according to the global study "A usual situation: violence in the lives of children and adolescents" published in 2017 by UNICEF.

The study investigated badual violence, violence against children at home, violent teenage deaths and violence at school. The data are processed by UNICEF on the basis of the latest available statistics using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey methodology, better known as Multiple Indicator Cluster Assessment, between 2005 and 2016.

On the other hand, according to the survey, over 95% of adults think boys and girls should not be physically punished. However, 70% of households use methods of discipline such as physical or verbal abuse, such as shaking, screaming, slapping, beating and screaming.

"We find a gap between what parents and adults think and perceive about violence and what they actually do in practice, which is important, that they recognize abuse as a violence, but they naturalize it and do not recognize it as a violent education in the future ", he badured Sabrina alto, Protection consultant of Unicef.

The school, a confinement for the little ones

"The school is a fundamental institution in childhood and adolescence, because it teaches not only children reading and writing, but also, according to institutional projects, must train them in values ​​and contain them. Educational institutions also have the legal and ethical obligation to protect integrity and good physical, emotional and psychological development, "he said. Castro Santander.

"The child is a social being who must develop emotionally and learn the rules of life in society: how to interact with others, how to be interested and understand others, how to badert one's personality, how to cope with difficulties, how to control his emotions? The school is a good place to develop social skills, but the truth is that in their first interactions, the child puts into practice what he has learned at home, "says the book School Management of Abuse and Abuse Child, Family, School and Environment Castro Santander.

The International Convention on the Rights of the Child, incorporated in the constitution and inspiring of the National Law No. 26061 and Law No. 114 of the City, prohibits "violent, discriminatory, humiliating, humiliating and intimidating treatment" ", and recognizes the right of children and adolescents to be free from any form of economic exploitation, torture, abuse or neglect, badual exploitation, or any cruel or degrading form or condition.

In the city, there is a free 24-hour service line, where anyone, child or adult, can call for counseling in case of violence and for any problem affecting children. In addition, the area mediators constitute a network present in all municipalities to contact to deal with this type of situation.

The figure of the Ombudsman for children and adolescents

The Federal Personality of the Ombudsman for Children and Adolescents was established in 2005 by Law 26 061 on the Integral Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents, with the aim of protecting and making visible the problems of children and prioritize their rights public policy agenda. The standard provided for a 90-day period and established that the selection and appointment corresponded to the National Convention.

After more than 13 years late in the designation of the figure of the defender of the child and the teenager, the bicameral Commission entrusted with the contest to elect the head of the Defensoría de Niñas, Niños and Adolescentes will propose to the chambers of deputies and senators to ratify designation Marisa Graham as an advocate for girls, boys and adolescents; and Juan Facundo Hernández and Fabián Repetto as their substitutes.