76% of the children in Moldova aged between 2 and 14 are educated by violence. 48% of them are subject to physical punishment, while 69% to psychological aggression, shows the global report “Hidden in Plain Sight: a statistical analysis of violence against children” that was presented by UNICEF on September 23. UNICEF also presented six strategies that are aimed at preventing and reducing violence against children, IPN reports.

By the percentage of children subject to psychological aggression or physical punishment, Moldova ranks 32nd out of 56 states, with the situation in the top states being the most alarming. In 8 of the 215 cases of murder recorded in Moldova in 2013, the victims were children.

UNICEF Representative in Moldova Nune Mangasaryan said that regretfully the abuse against children is witnessed daily and in every society. However, the statistics are seldom accurate as the phenomenon of violence against children is invisible, hidden and undeclared. “Everyone should report the use of violence - the authorities, doctors, neighbors and children likewise - so that this phenomenon is brought to an end. We must do everything possible for this invisible phenomenon to become visible and we must make sure that it disappears,” sated the UNICEF Representative.

Nune Mangasaryan underlined that civil society of Moldova pledged to seriously fight the use of violence against children and worked out a common intersector mechanism for dealing with cases of child abuse and exploitation. Among the main actions for preventing violence against children are informing the parents about nonviolent discipline methods and developing community services in support of children victims. Another proposal is that the justice system should become more responsive to the rights and needs of children subject to violence and abuse.

The UNICEF report draws attention to the many forms of violence children experience and recognises violence happens to children everywhere, and not just in conflict hotspots.