RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Who perpetrates violence against children? A systematic analysis of age-specific and sex-specific data
JF BMJ Paediatrics Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e000180
DO 10.1136/bmjpo-2017-000180
VO 2
IS 1
A1 Karen Devries
A1 Louise Knight
A1 Max Petzold
A1 Katherine G Merrill
A1 Lauren Maxwell
A1 Abigail Williams
A1 Claudia Cappa
A1 Ko Ling Chan
A1 Claudia Garcia-Moreno
A1 NaTasha Hollis
A1 Howard Kress
A1 Amber Peterman
A1 Sophie D Walsh
A1 Sunita Kishor
A1 Alessandra Guedes
A1 Sarah Bott
A1 Betzabe C Butron Riveros
A1 Charlotte Watts
A1 Naeemah Abrahams
YR 2018
UL http://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000180.abstract
AB Objective The epidemiology of violence against children is likely to differ substantially by sex and age of the victim and the perpetrator. Thus far, investment in effective prevention strategies has been hindered by lack of clarity in the burden of childhood violence across these dimensions. We produced the first age-specific and sex-specific prevalence estimates by perpetrator type for physical, sexual and emotional violence against children globally.Design We used random effects meta-regression to estimate prevalence. Estimates were adjusted for relevant quality covariates, variation in definitions of violence and weighted by region-specific, age-specific and sex-specific population data to ensure estimates reflect country population structures.Data sources Secondary data from 600 population or school-based representative datasets and 43 publications obtained via systematic literature review, representing 13 830 estimates from 171 countries.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Estimates for recent violence against children aged 0–19 were included.Results The most common perpetrators of physical and emotional violence for both boys and girls across a range of ages are household members, with prevalence often surpassing 50%, followed by student peers. Children reported experiencing more emotional than physical violence from both household members and students. The most common perpetrators of sexual violence against girls aged 15–19 years are intimate partners; however, few data on other perpetrators of sexual violence against children are systematically collected internationally. Few age-specific and sex-specific data are available on violence perpetration by schoolteachers; however, existing data indicate high prevalence of physical violence from teachers towards students. Data from other authority figures, strangers, siblings and other adults are limited, as are data on neglect of children.Conclusions Without further investment in data generation on violence exposure from multiple perpetrators for boys and girls of all ages, progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5 and 16 may be slow. Despite data gaps, evidence shows violence from household members, peers in school and for girls, from intimate partners, should be prioritised for prevention.Trial registration number PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015024315.