The impact of violence on children's lives: a snapshot of Latin America and the Caribbean

Photo: Souvid Datta/Save the Children

THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN’S LIVES: A SNAPSHOT OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

OVERVIEW Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) faces very high levels of violence towards children and adolescents. In recent years, there has been a spike of violence particularly boys, homicides often linked to gang activities and the migration of unaccompanied children. Sexual exploitation often linked to human trafficking is also widespread across the region especially amongst girls. Both the immediate and long-term – physical and psychological consequences of such violence are serious and affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents, their community and at a national and regional level, impede economic opportunity and development.

Violence against children takes many forms including neglect, mental and physical violence, corporal punishment, sexual abuse and exploitation, torture, violence amongst children (ex. bullying) and selfharm. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines violence as ‘all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.’1 The Convention furthermore stipulates that a child-rights approach to violence means that children are respected and recognized as right-bearing individuals. It requires that the dignity and physical and psychological integrity of a child is protected and acknowledged.

In LAC, widespread social and cultural attitudes and practices often condone violence. High levels of violence are rooted in inequality and social exclusion across the region, as well as a patriarchal view on culture. Research has shown that preventing violence in one generation can reduce it for the next generation. Children who grow up in secure, violence-free settings are less likely to act violently in childhood and adulthood. Lower levels of violence can in turn also have a positive impact on the economy.

Save the Children recently consulted adolescents in Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico about how they felt in their school environment. While many of them cited the school as a safe space, they also drew attention to the frequent instances of violence between peers such as bullying, hitting, threats, sale of drugs, robbery, discrimination and sexual aggression. In addition, teachers continue to use physical punishment to discipline students.

Adolescents felt most unsafe on their way to school where they are exposed to assaults, fights between gangs, etc. While many of them cite their home as the most secure place, half cite facing insults at home, a third hitting as a form of discipline and 7 percent mention having experienced a form of sexual violence.

Save the Children in LAC is responding to these high levels of violence through projects by strengthening capacities of schools and families to create safe learning spaces free from violence and promoting a culture of peace.2 A comprehensive approach for adolescents and youth is adopted to protect them from violence, ensure access to an inclusive quality education, employment opportunities and to enable them to choose to delay parenthood. The methodology establishes an enabling environment, where adolescents and youth are able to develop income-generating activities. At the same time, the approach encourages them to become advocates in key decision-making processes.3 The overall regional priority of Save the Children is to ensure all children and adolescents are protected from all forms of violence, especially sexual violence and corporal and humiliating punishment, by the promotion and adoption of positive discipline techniques by parents, teachers and other caregivers at home and school.

1 UNCRC General Comment 13

2

2

Save the Children. Escuelas Construyendo Paz, May 2015.

3

Save the Children. Adolescents and youth: a comprehensive approach in LAC.

Photo: Save the Children

MARCOS Marcos is an adolescent leader representing the youth network of Guatemala, an initiative of the “Violence Free Schools” project run by Save the Children. Marcos and his 8 siblings were greatly affected when one of his parents abandoned them when he was in primary school. His determination at a young age led him to start participating in school activities supported thought this project.

He recalls learning about his rights as an adolescent and how to communicate effectively.

He now inspires his peers by giving workshops in school. Through his role as the youth network representative, he helps provide a space for other adolescents to voice their concerns and be part of the decision-making process via the National Congress of Guatemala.

KEY FACTS 1 of every 3 deaths among adolescent males in the Americas region is due to interpersonal violence.4 7 out of the 10 countries with the highest female murder rate in the world are in Latin America.

Child trafficking is the most frequently detected form of trafficking in the LAC region.

Central America and the Caribbean has the highest proportion of expenditure related to interpersonal violence globally, at 56 percent.

In 2012, only three countries in the LAC region had legislation in place to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment (Uruguay, Venezuela and Costa Rica). As of 2016 this number has increased to 10.5

4

WHO. Health for the World’s Adolescents. A second chance in the second decade, 2014.

5

Global Initiative to End Corporal Punishment. Avances en la prohibición total del castigo corporal hacia niños, niñas y adolescentes en Latinoamérica, May 2015.

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LAC HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST HOMICIDE RATES IN THE WORLD The LAC region is the region in the world with the highest homicide rate per inhabitant; more than a third of violent deaths globally occur in this region.6 As illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b, homicide rates are especially high in some Central American countries (Honduras and El Salvador) as well as Venezuela in South America. Particularly alarming are the high numbers of adolescent homicides, with a rate four times higher than the global average for the 15-29 age group. In El Salvador, for example, almost a third of all homicide victims are adolescents.7 Globally, more than half of all homicide victims are younger than 30.

It is important to note that there are large subregional differences: countries in North America and the Southern cone have homicide rates that are lower than the global rate, whereas Central America and the Caribbean’s rates are many times above the global average. Similarly, at national level, violence and particularly homicides are usually concentrated in certain areas, cities and neighborhoods. Of a global ranking of the most violent cities in the world, a large majority (43 out of 50) are in Latin America; 19 in Brazil, 10 in Mexico, 5 in Colombia, 4 in Venezuela, 2 in Honduras and 1 each in El Salvador, Guatemala and Jamaica.8

Figure 1a: Homicide rates, by country or territory (2012 or latest year)

Homicide rate 0.00 - 2.99 3.00 - 4.99 5.00 - 9.99 10.00 - 19.99 20.00 - 29.99 >=30.00 WHO etimates No data available

Source: UNODC Homicide Statistics (2013).

4

6

Homicides are defined as intentional killings of one human being by another.

7

Save the Children. Niñez y Adolescencia en Situación de Movilidad Humana – LAC, El Salvador.

8

Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Violencia, niñez y crimen organizado, 2015.

9

UNODC Homicide Statistics (2013).

In many of these countries, poverty, inequalities, social exclusion, lack of public services and opportunity coupled with weak public institutions have facilitated the expansion of criminal groups including gangs. So much that in many instances, criminal organizations have become strong social, political and economic structures, often times replacing basic services and governance by the State.

This has also contributed to the higher levels of gang-related homicide in LAC compared with other regions. While many of the homicides in LAC are gang-related, the surge in Central America in recent years can also be linked to violence resulting from the control of drug trafficking routes or territorial wars between criminal groups.9 Interpersonal violence is the leading cause of mortality amongst adolescents in LAC whereas globally the leading cause is road injuries.10 Interpersonal homicide includes intimate partner/family-related homicide and homicide related to other interpersonal conflicts where

the perpetrator and victim may or may not know each other. The Americas has the second highest rate of intimate partner/family-related homicide globally. This constitutes of conflicts and violence within families and couples.

The intentional killing of women due to gender motives (also known as feminicide), usually by intimate partners or family are another major concern. The LAC region has some of the highest feminicide rates in the world. In fact, seven out of the ten countries with the highest female murder rate in the world are in Latin America, including El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. Many of these deaths are linked to human trafficking, especially for purposes of sexual exploitation. Women are also targeted for retaliation during disputes between gangs.11 At the global level, more than twice as many women as men are killed by their intimate partners or family members.

Figure 1b: Intentional homicide rates per 100’000, South and Central America 74.6

80

64.2

70

62

60 50

34.4 24.6

20 10

31.2

27.9

20.4

12.4

10

7.6

3.6

15.7

13.2 8.2

17.4 11.5

8.8

6.7

9.5

7.8

Urruguay

30

Suriname

40

Venezuela

Peru

Paraguay

Panama

Nicaragua

Mexico

Honduras

Guyana

Guatemala

French Guiana

El Salvador

Ecuador

Costa Rica

Colombia

Chile

Brazil

Bolivia

Belize

Argentina

0

Rate per 100’000 Source: UNODC Homicide Statistics, data updated on 18 May 2016

10 WHO. Health for the World’s Adolescents. A second chance in the second decade, 2014.

11 InSight Crime. Why does Latin America have the world’s highest female murder rates? February 2016.

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Diana, 11 years old, lives with her mother and siblings in a very remote area of Colombia called El Charco, only accessible by river. Diana and her family are worried about the high levels of violence and presence of armed groups. Her mother explains: “We have always lived here and we like it because there is a strong sense of community; the neighbors help each other out and the kids do lots of sports.

But there are no job opportunities. My older sons work what they can … but it is sporadic. There are many armed groups in the area. When we hear that there are gunshots or an attack, we stay enclosed

in the house. Violence has become part of daily life. After a certain hour, we don’t go out into the streets anymore.”

Through a project run by Save the Children, Diana and her classmates are learning about what to do in emergency situations. They have practice fire drills and learn about psychological first aid. Diana says “I am in the psychological brigades and we learned how to calm people when something bad happens, for example not to give them water because they can choke.”

Photo: Andrea Nuñez Flores/Save the Children

DIANA

TRAFFICKED AND MIGRATING CHILDREN ARE AT RISK OF VIOLENCE Human trafficking is widespread across the region, mainly for sexual purposes or labour, both in between and within countries. In both Central America and the Caribbean and South America, child trafficking is the most frequently detected form of trafficking.

Within South America around 40 percent of victims detected were children, particularly in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. In Central America and the Caribbean, over half (51 percent) of human trafficking victims are girls, compared to 20 percent at a global scale. This area has the second highest level of child trafficking

detected globally, after Sub-Saharan Africa (see Figure 2). Trafficking for sexual exploitation is the most frequently detected form in Central America and the Caribbean as well as South America (57 percent).

In South America, 89 percent of trafficking occurs inside the region of which 78 percent is domestic (within countries). Similarly, in Central America and the Caribbean most of the trafficking, 94 percent happens within the region, out of which 56 percent is within countries and the remaining 38 percent crossborder within the sub-region.

Figure 2: Shares of adults and children among detected trafficking victims, by region, 2014 (or most recent) North Africa and the Middle East/ 8 countries Sub-Saharan Africa/ 11 countries North America/ 3 countries Central America and the Caribbean/ 10 countries

75%

25%

36%

64%

81%

19%

38%

62%

South America/ 9 countries

61%

39%

East Asia nd the Pacific/ 8 countries

68%

32%

Eastern Europe and Central Asia/ 8 countries

92%

8%

Central and South-Eastern Europe/ 14 countries

74%

26%

Western and Southern Europe/ 16 countries Source: UNODC elaboration at national data.

75% 0%

Adults

Children

25% 20%

The internal displacement of non-accompanied minors as well as their migration to the United States has been on the rise in recent years. Between 2014 and 2015, 95’000 children and adolescents from Mexico and Central America were received in the US. Thousands of children and adolescents were deported via Mexico, putting them into vulnerable situations and at risk of violence.

In 2016 there was a 20 percent increase in the detention of accompanied and non-accompanied minors in the United States and Mexico in comparison to previous years, 2014 and 2015. The months of October and November 2016 saw the highest number of detentions in the United States, 30 percent higher than the same months in 2015. This can in part be explained by the high numbers of families and nonaccompanied minors who wanted to cross the border before the start of the new US administration.12

40%

60%

80%

100%

In El Salvador and Honduras, over 50 percent of children and adolescents cited violence and general feelings of insecurity as the main reasons for their decision to migrate. In Guatemala, the two main reasons are economic (50 percent) and violence (33 percent). In Honduras, amongst the internally displaced, 36 percent are children under 14 years old.

Amongst other factors, children and adolescents migrate due to insecurity, violence and high homicide rates in their countries of origin. They also choose to migrate due to general violence against them (human trafficking, kidnappings and extortions). Save the Children is responding to this situation with a regional strategy aimed at preventing unsafe migration of children and adolescents and ensuring the realization of children’s rights, with a focus on the right to education in situations of displacement. Save the Children reached 10.9 million children and youth in 2015 during its response to the migration crisis.

12 Save the Children. Children on the Move Monthly Report – January 2017.

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Photo: Karina Mendoza/Save the Children

THE GENDER DIMENSION OF VIOLENCE There are some differences between the types of violence faced by boys and girls in the LAC region.

Adolescent boys are more exposed to physical violence such as homicides and are more likely to face exploitation from organized crime. Girls, on the other hand, are exposed to more gender-based violence, in particular sexual violence. Adolescent boys are almost 7 times more likely to die from interpersonal violence than adolescent girls.13 Girls and women are also more likely than boys or men to experience sexual violence generally.

Globally 96 percent of victims trafficked for sexual exploitation are women and girls, while only 4 percent are boys and men. The consequences of

sexual and physical violence include reproductive health issues which are different to consequences for men.14 Violence is the second leading cause of death among adolescent girls globally (after infectious and parasitic diseases). Nearly one in three adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 (84 million) in formal unions have been the victims of any emotional, physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their husbands or partners at some point in their lives.15 In almost all countries, parents and intimate partners are the most commonly cited perpetrators of physical violence against adolescent girls.

Figure 3: Percentage of women who reported sexual violence by an intimate partner and by any perpetrator ever in their life, among women ever married or in union aged 15-49 Haiti 2005/6

27.2

10.8

Bolivia 2003 Colombia 2005

11.8

Nicaragua 2006/7

13.1

Guatemala 2008/9

12.3

Ecuador 2004

11.5

El Salvador 2008 Jamaica 2008/9 Dominican Republic 2007

11.5 11.9

7.6

15.2 14.8 14.6 14.6

11.9 5.2 11.8

Honduras 2005/6 Paraguay 2008

17.9 15.2 16.6

8.9

By any perpetrator (including partners) By an intimate partner

10.3

PAHO. Violence Against Women in LAC (2013).

13 Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. Violencia, niñez y crimen organizado. 2015.

14 PAHO. Violence Against Women in LAC (2013).

15 UNICEF. A Statistical Snapshot of Violence Against Adolescent Girls, 2014.

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Surveys from 11 countries (all except Peru 2007/8) collected data that allowed an estimate of the prevalence of women’s lifetime experience of sexual violence by any perpetrator, including partners. All 11 surveys asked women whether they had ever experienced forced sex by any perpetrator. In addition, some DHS surveys also measured forced ‘sex acts’, and most RHS surveys also measured unwanted sexual intercourse that women had because they were afraid of what the partner would do if they refused.

In the LAC region, many young women and girls are forced into unwanted sexual initiation at a very early age, usually by their partners. Many cases go unreported due to the cultural acceptance and norms around the role of women and girls in society.

Wife beating, for example, is largely accepted across the region by men in particular but also by women.

In Ecuador 38.2 percent of women agree that wife-

beating is acceptable in at least one instance. This also means that many women and girls fail to seek help after facing violence. In Bolivia, over 50 percent of women reported having experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner. In Colombia and Peru around 40 percent of women reported the same.

Most girls report they were sexually victimized for the first time during adolescence.

VIOLENCE IS IMPEDING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION Central America and the Caribbean has the highest proportion of expenditure related to interpersonal violence worldwide, at 57 percent, followed by South America at 55 percent (see Figure 4). Due to very high levels of interpersonal violence, many costs arise linked to homicides and sexual assault

for example. Of the ten countries with the highest economic impact of violence as percentage of GDP, three are in the LAC region (Venezuela, Honduras and Colombia) falling just slightly lower than the likes of Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, mainly due to interpersonal violence.

Figure 4: Regional Economic Impact of Violence by Spending Type, 201516

PROPORTION OF PERCAPITA ECONOMIC IMPACT BY REGION, 2015

The combined impact of the military and internal security accounts for the highest category of spending in all regions aside from Central America and the Caribbean and South America.

100% 90% 80%

6% 16%

70%

11% 6%

18% 1%

16% 28%

33%

34%

43%

57% 2% 0.2% 32%

78%

25% 50%

48%

38%

28% North America

MENA

Violent crime

Asia Pacific

South Asia

Internal security

2%

Russia and turasia

23%

20%

Europe sub Saharan South frica America

Armed conflict

Military

For every dollar spent on violence in LAC, almost 60 cents go to fighting violent crime.

27%

The region spends almost 1 billion dollars to combat violence.

14%

Global Peace Index 2016

37%

10% 0%

56%

22%

20%

55%

13% 38%

50%

30%

1%

2%

60%

40%

24%

Central America and the Caribbean

Source-: IEP

16 Global Peace Index 2016

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Photo: Kyle Degraw/Save the Children

Research shows that economic costs from intentional homicides are much higher than other types of crime or conflict. This is in part because of the high indirect costs of homicide. A homicide means a member of society lost and with them their lifetime earnings as they can no longer contribute to the economy.

Psychological trauma for the victim’s family can result in additional productivity lost. Direct costs are also high and would include things like medical costs as well as lost earnings and damages to the victim and perpetrator. All of this results in higher public spending on health, criminal justice system and policing. On a larger scale, it negatively affects economic activity and the general business climate.17 Some argue that the intangible costs related to violent crime and homicides are much higher than calculated and that data at the individual level cost is largely unavailable.18 Intangible costs go much beyond the immediate family of the victims and affect the society at large with an increased sense of insecurity, fear, terror and the overall deterioration of quality of life.

A study in Mexico City noted that intangibles such as fear, account for about 60 percent of the losses from attacks on people reported by the victims surveyed.

Violence impedes economic development, both at a micro and macro level. It reduces the formation

of human capital because involvement in criminal activities deters adolescents from getting an education. At the macro level, it reduces foreign and national investments and can even affect national savings if people lack confidence in the future growth of the country.19 Non-fatal violence also has high economic costs.

Violence against women and children in particular, contributes to a lifetime of health problems.20 It results in high health care costs and more and longer hospital stays than those who have not experienced violence. In addition to physical injuries, it often results in sexual and reproductive health problems and behavioral issues. These victims are also more likely to face unemployment and issues with job performance. For children and women, it often requires the provision of safe places for them and can disrupt daily life due to fear or personal safety. At a wider scale, it disincentives foreign investments and even tourism.

Studies show that preventing violence can promote economic growth. It was estimated for example, that if violence in Haiti were to be reduced to the level of Costa Rica (homicide rate of 8.1 per 100,000 population), it could result in an increase in annual growth per capita by an estimated 5.4%.21

17 Global Peace Index 2016 18 Mauricio Rubio. Los costos de la violencia en América Latina: Una crítica al enfoque económico en boga.

19 Mayra Buvinic, Andrew Morrison, Michael Shifter. La Violencia en América Latina y el Caribe: Un Marco de Referencia para la Acción.

20 WHO. Global Status Report on Violence Prevention 2014 21 Ibid.

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Photo: Andrea Nuñez Flores/Save the Children

CONCLUSION In conclusion, it is clear that violence against children and adolescents is one of the most significant factors holding back the full realization of children’s rights as well as economic development in the LAC region.

From adolescent homicides, to corporal punishment, to sexual exploitation, violence takes many forms.

Regular violence has resulted in a general sense of insecurity and fear amongst families, children and adolescents throughout the region.

Through the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), world leaders have committed to end all forms of violence against children by 2030 (Goal 16, target 16.2). Ending abuse, neglect and exploitation of children is also mainstreamed across many other violence-related SDG targets. Recently, the Committee on the Rights of the Child has elaborated General Comments 19 (public budgeting on children’s rights) and 20 (implementation of child rights during adolescence)

to encourage governments to budget for children and adolescent’s rights. As recommended, States must budget for children and adolescents to the maximum extent of their available resources, meaning every effort must be made to mobilize, allocate and spend budget resources to fulfil children’s rights, including the right of the child to freedom from all forms of violence. As discussed, investing in ending violence will also have much greater economic benefits for the region in the longterm.

Legislation such as that to end all forms of corporal punishments must continue to be enacted and enforced throughout the LAC region to ensure children can lead a life free from violence both in their homes and at school. Save the Children is committed to promoting a culture of peace to help inspire a cultural shift away from violence across the LAC region.

Coordinators Monica Kuljich – Regional Communications Specialist Paula Martes – Regional Program & MEAL officer Stefania Minniti – Regional Campaigns Manager Consultant Chantal Baumgarten Graphic Design Jorge Kajatt Some children’s names have been changed to protect their identities.

Published by Save the Children International Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean 2016

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Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean City of Knowledge, Building #123 Panama City, Panama www.savethechildren.net