Abigail stressed the need to work with children in order to combat the violence

26 March 2010: Abigail, aged 17, has spoken out against violence against children at the Human Rights Council’s Annual Day of the Rights of the Child (ROC) in Geneva, which this year focused on sexual violence against children.

According to World Health Organization estimates, 150 million girls and 73 million boys have suffered from rape or other forms of sexual violence, including exploitation.

In her statement, Abigail pointed out the consequences of sexual violence against children in schools, especially for girls, and stressed the need to work with children themselves to help combat the violence.

Stigmatisation

“The main perpetrators of sexual violence against children in schools are people who are responsible for our upbringing, such as teachers, older relatives, parents and our own peers.”

Abigail continued: “Victims are often reluctant to report sexual violence because of a sense of stigmatisation, lack of confidence that schools will take action, and limited willingness to confide in teachers for fear or reprisals…even parents do not necessarily disapprove of sexual relations between pupils and teachers.”

Sexual violence against children in schools increases children’s risk not only of failing their studies, but also of suffering physical injury, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, and psychological harm.

Raising awareness

But Plan’s Violence Against Children (VAC) project in West Africa, launched in 2008, helps young people raise awareness about the issues of violence they face in their lives.

Abigail is a member of Plan’s VAC project, and is a child ambassador for the ROC youth group, with members aged 12-18, in Ghana’s central region. The group works around different issues children face, such as sexual abuse, child trafficking and corporal punishment.

She is one of over 200 youths and children in West Africa that have received training to advocate on issues of violence against children.

Sharing experiences

When she was asked about the challenges her ROC group faces, she said: We don’t have enough funds for us to transmit the programme to other communities nearby.”

“I’m going to share my experience with my youth group in Ghana and we are going to use this experience to work on our project.”

“My hope for the future is…a society in which children’s rights and dignity are highly respected.”

Watch a webcast of Abigail’s address to the HRC

Read more about Abigail and Plan's participation at the HRC event