International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

The Observance of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is an day that recognizes the children who have suffered acts of violence or aggression, resulting in trauma or the loss of life. Dedicated to raising awareness about the need to protect children from violence, this day serves as a reminder of the devastating impacts that violence can have on young lives.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in August 1982, the day was initiated in response to the growing number of Lebanese and Palestinian children who had fallen victim to acts of aggression during that time. The observance has grown to encompass the recognition of all children who have been victims of abuse, exploitation, and other forms of violence. Although Australia may not suffer from the same scale of conflict-driven aggression, issues such as child abuse, bullying, and domestic violence are still relevant and demand action from society at large.

The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed globally on 4th June each year. By acknowledging this day, countries like Australia join the international community in raising awareness of children's rights, and ultimately working towards a safer and more secure future for all children.

Facts about Children Victims of Aggression

• According to the UN, more than 1 billion children around the world are affected by violence. This violence costs societies up to $7 trillion a year.
• According to the UN, the 6 most common violations against children around the world are:
  1) Recruitment and use of children in war
  2) Killing
  3) Sexual violence
  4) Abduction
  5) Attacks on schools and hospitals
  6) The denial of humanitarian access
• According to UNICEF, it is estimated that around 1 in 4 children worldwide experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their childhood.
• In recent years, Australia has faced a significant issue with Indigenous children in detention. Indigenous children are 24 times more likely to be incarcerated than their non-Indigenous peers.
• Abuse can take different forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. In Australia, emotional abuse and neglect are the most common forms, accounting for over 50% of substantiated cases.

In the News and Trending in Australia for International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

Top things to do in Australia for this observance

• Donate to charities that help end violence against children. Some examples include the End Violence Fund and World Vision.
• Watch a documentary about the victims of child abuse in Australia. Here are our top picks:
  1. Don't Tell (2017) - Based on a true story, this film follows a young woman who fights for justice after experiencing sexual abuse at a prestigious Anglican boarding school in Australia.
  2. The Family (2016) - This documentary explores the chilling story of Anne Hamilton-Byrne, the leader of the cult-like organization The Family, which kept children captive and subjected them to physical and emotional abuse in the 1970s and 1980s.
  3. The Devil's Playground (1976) - This Australian drama film portrays the struggles of a young boy who faces physical and psychological abuse as he attends a strict Catholic seminary in the 1950s.
• Read a book to learn more about the victims of child abuse in Australia. Here are some suggestions:
  1. Child Protection in Australia: Challenges, Changes, and New Directions by Leah Bromfield and Fiona Arney
  2. Victims of Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Abuse in Australia by Jane Mugford
  3. Breaking the Silence: Creating the Future- Addressing Child Sexual Assault in Aboriginal Communities in New South Wales by Rumbalara-Woononga-A-Raels