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Save the Children Canada
PRESS RELEASE -NOVEMBER 20, 2006 National Child Day: In Their Own
Words"
Canadian Children Speak Out to Stop Violence in their Lives
Attention: Assignment Editor, City Editor, News Editor
TORONTO, ON, NEWS RELEASE--(CCNMatthews - Nov. 20, 2006) - Violence against
children is a daily occurrence for millions of children in every region of the
world. As Canadians mark National Child Day (a commemoration of the adoption of
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child) youth across Canada are speaking
out against the pervasive threat of violence that denies them their basic
rights. Their voices have been captured in a new report released today by Save
the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada, the Children's Rights Centre of Cape Breton
University and the Canadian Council of Provincial Child and Youth Advocates. The
report, "Seen, Heard and Believed: What Youth Say about Violence" and its
companion, "Youth and Children Condemn Violence in Society" is a wake-up call
about the violence that children in Canada experience first-hand. Ethan, a
contributor to the reports (aged 15): "Emotional violence does hurt. It is not
the same as physical violence of course. Physical violence happens fast.
Emotional violence takes longer. Both scar you and stay with you I think there
always will be violence but we need to keep on reminding people how much
violence hurts." As is evident in the reports, children can easily articulate
solutions to reduce the impact of violence. Presented is a compelling case for a
call upon elected representatives to allocate more funding towards parental
education programs, the development of child- friendly communities, support for
child-led initiatives and projects, and child rights training programs in
schools and institutions. Investments in programs such as these have proven to
be effective in reducing community and family violence and empowering children
themselves to affect change. "I feel that everyone has a duty to protect
children from violence and this responsibility must be upheld and honoured by
our Canadian government, families, communities, police force, the media and most
importantly the young people themselves!" Chelsea, a university student in
Ottawa (aged 19). "It is important that we no longer view children only as
victims of violence but as active participants in finding real solutions to end
violence", states David Morley, Save the Children Canada President and CEO.
All contributing organizations to the report are advocating for the right of
children and youth to participate. A federal mechanism, such as a Children's
Commissioner, is needed to ensure that children are protected and more directly
involved in shaping and monitoring the systems put in place to protect them from
violence. "The children we have listened to give us hope," says Nigel Fisher,
President & CEO of UNICEF Canada. "They want the cycle of violence to end and
they are full of good ideas about how that could happen. Ideas so good that we
should respect what they say they want most - to be listened to." Keysha, aged
18, recently attended the October 2006 launch of the UN Study as a member of the
Canadian government's delegation. "Violence needs to end. In order for that to
happen we need to hear from children and youth because violence is happening to
them and we are the best people to tell you." Save the Children Canada has
been working for over 85 years to improve the quality of children's lives
through the realization of their rights. UNICEF is the world's leader for
children, working in 156 countries and territories to save, protect and enhance
the lives of girls and boys. The Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates
is an alliance of Canada's five provincially-appointed children's advocates and
works to ensure that children and youth are treated with dignity, tolerance,
respect and equality. The Children's Rights Centre of Cape Breton University was
founded in 1995 to undertake research, student training, and education in
children's rights. The Centre's primary focus has been on the development and
evaluation of children's rights educational materials. Note to Editor:
The following youth are available for interviews on their work to reduce
violence in the world around them: Keysha (18), Toronto: Keysha has been
involved with the Summer of Opportunities Leadership Programme where she has
been an active participant in focus groups and conferences relating to violence
against children. Keysha has a personal interest in the art of story pictures -
a technique to help children who have experienced violence. Ethan (15),
Vancouver: Ethan participated in the Study on violence as a member of the focus
groups and contributor to the "Seen, Heard and Believed" report. He met with
children in the community to solicit their input through drawings and art for
the report. Ethan is from Toronto. Fathia (18), Toronto: Fathia participated
in the international launch of the UN Study in October 2006. She was a member of
her high school's Culture of Peace Committee, White Ribbon Campaign, Tsunami
Relief Campaign and the Foster a Child Campaign. She was a participant at the
Study's Regional Consultation, and has been involved in media activities through
various websites and fundraising initiatives. Chelsea (19), Ottawa: Chelsea
participated in the Consultations for the UN Study. Chelsea created a Charter
for young people in her community. She is now in 2nd year at Carleton Univ.
studying a double major in Human Rights and International Law. For interviews
with the youth or any of the report contributors please contact:
Sue Rooks
Communications Coordinator
Save the Children Canada
For further information:
www.savethechildren.ca |
