Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 13, 2025 Human rights
Nearly one in three children in Europe and Central Asia experiences physical punishment at home, and two-thirds of children experience psychological aggression. According to a new report published today by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), these are the most common forms of violence against children.
Data from the report "Where We Live and Learn: Violence Against Children in Europe and Central Asia" shows that physical punishment, including spanking, pinching, and hitting, is used against more than 30 percent of children in the region. Psychological aggression, including threats, humiliation, and verbal abuse, affects up to 69 percent of children in 15 countries and territories in the region for which data are available.
“Violence affects the lives of too many children in Europe and Central Asia, often at the hands of those who are supposed to protect and care for them,” said Regina De Dominicis, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia. “And while prohibition of all forms of corporal punishment under all circumstances is an important step, governments must go beyond that and invest in parental education, strong protection systems and community-based services to prevent violence and respond to it when it occurs.”
The vicious circle of violence
Data shows that over 90 percent of parents believe that physical punishment and psychological aggression are unnecessary, yet many still resort to them. This is often due to their inability to control their own emotions and a lack of awareness of the long-term detrimental impact of violent discipline on children's development and behavior.
Read also:
WHO report: Corporal punishment widespread and harmful to children's health
Children exposed to physical or psychological abuse are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, struggle in school, and exhibit aggressive behavior. These consequences can continue into adulthood, increasing the likelihood of violence in their future families and communities. This perpetuates a vicious cycle of intergenerational violence.
Corporal punishment is currently prohibited in all settings, including the home, in 38 of the region's 55 countries and territories, but legislation must be supported by specific support for parents and caregivers, including parenting training programs and family support services.
Multidisciplinary support
The report also analyses the prevalence of sexual abuse and violence against children in schools:
Between 1 and 14 percent of women in 19 EU countries report experiencing sexual violence before the age of 15, although the actual figures are likely much higher. On average, 11 percent of children in the region report were bullied at school, 15 percent report having encountered cyberbullying, and 10 percent were involved in fights.
The global cost of violence against children, according to UNICEF, is estimated at $7 trillion per year, which is about 8 percent of global GDP.
Promising models such as Barnahus, which provides child survivors of violence with multidisciplinary, tailored support, demonstrate that coordinated services can help children overcome the effects of violence and achieve justice.
UNICEF offers six recommendations to accelerate progress:
Prohibit all forms of corporal punishment in all settings; invest in parenting training programmes and family support services that promote positive disciplinary measures; expand access to justice and child-sensitive social services; scale up the implementation of safe and inclusive learning environments free from peer and teacher violence; prioritize data collection and monitoring to track incidents of violence and assess progress; ensure that all children, including those with disabilities, on the move or in care, receive support.
Ending violence against children is a legal obligation under Convention on the Rights of the Child and a global commitment within the framework of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentHowever, the Europe and Central Asia region is not meeting the targets for achieving this goal.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.