International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

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2024 Date	4 June 2024
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International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression in 2024

Tuesday, 4 Jun

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The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed annually to acknowledge the pain and suffering endured by children around the world who have fallen victim to physical, mental, and emotional abuse. This day emphasizes the importance of global efforts to protect the rights of children and raise awareness of atrocities such as forced child labor, trafficking, and recruitment as child soldiers.

Established by the United Nations in 1982, the Observance of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression originally focused on Palestinian children who had suffered due to the Israeli occupation. Over time, it has evolved to encompass the plight of children affected by conflict and other forms of aggression globally. New Zealand has consistently supported the UN's initiatives in promoting children's rights, welfare, and protection. This includes the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, which further strengthened the country's commitment to the cause.

Each year, numerous organizations and communities devote the day to raising awareness and advocating for change to protect children. As a nation that values social justice and human rights, New Zealand plays a crucial role in supporting these worldwide efforts for the betterment of future generations on the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. The International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression is observed on June 4th.

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.
Māori and Pasifika children are disproportionately represented in child abuse cases, with Māori children being more than twice as likely to experience abuse or neglect compared to non-Māori children.
Over the past decade, the reported cases of child abuse have increased, with the number of substantiated findings of abuse and neglect more than doubling since 2005.

Top things to do in NZ 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 to learn more about the victims of child abuse in New Zealand. Here are our suggestions:
1. Dark Places: The Anatolian Incident (2008) - A documentary that investigates the alleged abuse of children at a Christchurch Civic Creche in New Zealand in the early 1990s.
2. The Dark Side of Innocence (2003) - A documentary that explores the dark world of child abuse in New Zealand and tells the stories of survivors.
3. Baby M (2005) - A short film that uses a brutal case of child abuse to raise awareness about abuse within New Zealand's Maori community.
Read a book to learn more about the victims of child abuse in New Zealand. Here are some suggestions:
1. The Dark Side of Paradise: an Expose on Child Abuse and Family Violence in Aotearoa/New Zealand by David Loader
2. Violence Against Children in New Zealand: Prevalence, Prevention and Change by Donna Swift
3. Child Abuse & Neglect in New Zealand by Anne Else