Child protection progress in states leveraging Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989--2008)

Every signatory State to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), has committed to comply with the Convention, including UNCRC Article 19, toward improved child protection. Article 19 focuses on the "Child's right to protection from all forms of violence," including physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Several child protection measures are studied, such as child protection legislation, reporting systems, services, data collection and research, training of professionals and public awareness campaigns.;This study reveals the level to which these child protection measures were implemented by several States and/or the professionals in those States, according to expert respondents in those States. It reviews how they leveraged the UNCRC Article 19 to achieve improved child protection, especially from child maltreatment (by intrafamilial/caretaker perpetrators). Data were collected through a questionnaire responded to by 31 State respondents from every region of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle-East, Latin and North America, in 2007. The respondents were chosen from a pool of active and knowledgeable child protection and child rights experts from around the world to represent initiatives in every major region. The study focuses on several lower income and "developing" country (DC) States which are improving child protection, and explores the link between UNCRC Article 19 implementation and progress in child protection.;This study identifies the contributions being made by government, professional and NGO champions in implementing UNCRC Article 19 to improve protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect and to treat children and families when children become victims of violence, especially of child maltreatment.;Three additional findings suggest that: (a) the UNCRC is an important guide for States Parties toward the necessary balance between the role of government in supporting families and children to have safe, healthy and productive lives and the parents' role in protecting their children; (b) Child protection improves when States Parties and professionals work in partnership to effectively accomplish the challenging issues of establishing and enforcing effective laws and policy, reporting and referral systems, medical, mental health and legal services, trained and engaged professionals and public awareness of the issue of violence and children's rights; and, (c) Basic child protection improves when States establish good social practices to ensure children, including the most vulnerable children, the rights to health and education.;Negative environmental or social conditions, such as armed conflict, corruption, and low investments in education and health, indicate that States are not investing adequately to improve the protection of their children from violence and maltreatment. Finally, study results suggest that the fulfillment of Article 19's promise to protect children requires financial investments in child protection, which should be analyzed in relation to the social consequences of the failure to prevent violence, abuse and neglect of children. Study respondent results support the strong potential for UNCRC Article 19 to help protect the world's children gain improved rights and protection from violence, abuse and neglect.;Key Words: UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Article 19, Child Abuse and Neglect, Child Maltreatment, Child Protection, Violence Against Children, Children's Rights...