Child abuse is a global problem: according to UNICEF’s international data – published in 2014 – almost 120 million girls under 20 (1 out of 10) were forced globally to have intercourse or other sexual acts. Every third teenage girl between the ages 15 and 19 (84 million) have already been abused emotionally, physically or sexually by their husband or partner. One fifth of the victims of murders are children and teenagers under 20.

Dr. Miklós Radoszlav child rights expert, lawyer said: a child can be exposed to different types of violence, exploitation and abuse, each with their own characteristics. In Hungary according to statistics 30 000 children became victims of violence in the last 5 years. These data are only the tip of the iceberg – the latency is much higher.

Dr. Ágnes Lux, UNICEF Hungary advocacy director highlighted: UNICEF urges a strategy concerning families and governments in order to stop and reduce violence against children. It involves the support of parents; education of children; change of attitude; development of social, penal systems and services; raising awareness of the violence and its social-economic effects in order to change the society’s attitude.

The main mission of UNICEF in Hungary is to reduce the number of violence against children. That is why we started a campaign which aimed to raise awareness of the problem. The videos present that for children growing up in a violent family abuse becomes normal. UNICEF Hungary regrets that many social organisation misinterpreted the message. As UNICEF respects everyone’s opinion we changed the videos so there is no mention of the gender of the abuser.

The experts agreed that the campaign reached its goal as a public debate has started around the topic. In order to continue the debate the organisation want to start a public conversation & invite all organizations, experts (even those who were criticizing the campaign) to sit down and start conversation on the topic. We also invite them to share their ideas & join the conversation at parbeszed@unicef.hu.

For further information please contact Krisztina Hadzsipetkova at krisztina.hadzsipetkova@unicef.hu

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