SOS Children’s Villages presents at first Global Ministerial Conference on ending violence against children 

Estimated at $7 trillion, the global economic impact of this crisis is staggering, and yet the impact on children is far more profound. For those children, the hands meant to nurture and guide them often become a source of fear and pain, leaving deep emotional scars and trauma that echoes across all areas of their lives. 

Violence against children ss an urgent human rights violation and crisis for children that we can and must address. 

Today, SOS Children’s Villages joins over 120 nations and NGOs at the first-ever Global Ministerial Conference on ending violence against children in Colombia—a gathering that unites global leaders in protecting vulnerable children and creating a future free from violence. 

“This has never happened before, such a large inter-governmental gathering to address ending violence against children as a preventive issue,” said Jenessa Bryan, SOS Children’s Villages USA Director of Partnerships. “It’s opening the door for global leaders to work together with civil society organizations like SOS, children and young people to solidify violence against children as a critical topic in global health.” 

Facilitating global solutions and amplifying children’s voices 

This historic event created an unprecedented space for sharing best practices, advancing child-protection policies and forging global, actionable solutions for ending violence against children. 

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the conference, Bryan said, is the inclusion of children’s voices. Twelve young representatives—including a child from SOS Children’s Villages—are participating in these discussions, lending an essential and powerful perspective to the conversation on violence prevention.  

“There’s never been a global space for children and youth voices to be a part of this conversation,” Byran said. “Although government-led, this conference welcomes the input of civil society, adult survivors, children and young people. Amplifying children’s voices in this sphere is essential for creating effective and enduring change.” 

As an international leader in protecting children, SOS Children’s Villages hosted a special event at the conference, Prevent to Protect, for in-person and virtual attendees—sharing crucial knowledge and innovative strategies to create safer environments for children. A recording of the event is available to watch here. 

A hopeful future 

Ending violence against children is also intimately linked to preventing a child’s likelihood of being removed from their families’ care. Violence and family separation have devastating, traumatic effects on families and children and increase the risk of mental and physical health issues, labor and sexual exploitation and perpetuating cycles of trauma for future generations. 

Organizations like SOS Children’s Villages have been effective in decreasing violence and mitigating negative outcomes by supporting parents with positive, healthy caregiving methods. These family-strengthening initiatives allow more families to remain together and help to ensure children can grow up in the stable, healthy environment they need to thrive. 

“Ending violence is crucial to create stronger communities, healthier families and brighter futures for all children,” Bryan said. “It’s an issue that affects all of us and should be advocated for on the local, national and global stage.” 

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Together, we are ensuring every child is safe, valued and loved.  

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To learn more about SOS Children’s Villages’ work in preventing unnecessary family separation, read our groundbreaking global report.