Unmasking the familiar faces of childhood violence

Unmasking the familiar faces of childhood violence

- S. M. Rayhanul Islam

Violence against children in all its forms, regardless of the nature or severity of the act, is harmful, morally indefensible and a violation of every child’s fundamental human rights. Recent research reveals that while violence is especially damaging during the first few years of life, it affects a child’s physical safety and emotional and cognitive well-being at every stage. As they grow older, girls and boys begin interacting with a wider array of people outside the home, including peers, teachers, neighbours and romantic partners. This broadening of a child’s social world represents an opportunity to build capacities and life skills – but it also opens the door to new forms of violence, with potentially irreversible or long-term consequences. Yet violence against children is often rationalized as necessary or inevitable. It may be tacitly accepted due to the familiarity of perpetrators, or minimized as inconsequential. The memory or reporting of violence may be buried due to shame or fear of reprisal. Impunity of perpetrators and prolonged exposure may leave victims believing violence is normal. In such ways, violence is masked, making it difficult to prevent and end.