Children in Latin America and the Caribbean are at risk of violence at home, at school and on the streets from the age of one year.

According to the recent UNICEF report, A Statistical Profile of Violence Against Children in Latin America and the Caribbean, almost two out of three children between the ages of 1 and 14 in those territories are affected by violent discipline at home.

The survey found that sexual abuse and homicide – the latter being the leading cause of death among adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 – affect millions of under-18s in Latin America and the Caribbean. The data reveal that the regional homicide rate of children and adolescents (12.6 per 100,000) is four times higher than the global average (3 per 100,000).

With the aim of putting an end to all forms of violence against children, UNICEF makes a number of recommendations to governments: these include adopting laws that completely prohibit corporal punishment in all settings; investing in violence prevention programmes, including positive parenting programmes that provide caregivers with the support and resources they need; and strengthening the capacity of social service personnel to prevent, recognise and respond to violence against children.

The report is available on the UNICEF website in the dedicated news item.

Other materials and news can be found on this website under the topics Abuse of Children and Adolescents and Sexual abuse of Children and Adolescents, which can be reached from the "Topics" navigation menu.