CASES of violence against children increased globally during the pandemic, and the aggressors were parents and caregivers, according to a global research conducted by Save the Children.

A report issued by the group linked the spike in domestic violence to the loss of income from lockdown measures that triggered negative feelings.

The report titled “The Hidden Impact of Covid19 on Child Protection and Well-Being” revealed that “the more household income that has been lost owing to Covid19, the higher the reporting of violence in the home by both children and parents/ caregivers.”

At least one in six children reported violence at home during the pandemic. This is mostly in the form of physical and verbal abuse.

Also, one in five parents and caregivers similarly reported violence at home. The study was based on a survey of 31,683 parents and caregivers, and 13,477 children aged between 11 and 17 in 46 countries including the Philippines.

For children whose families did not lose their income due to the pandemic, only five percent reported violence at home.

“The result of the research study is alarming and compels us to listen to our children so we can come up with Covid19 mitigating measures with a child-rights lens,” said Atty. Alberto Muyot, Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Philippines

“We call on the national and local governments to prioritize child protection within Covid19 response plans, and put children’s rights at the core of national and local level infectious disease emergency preparedness plans, he added.

In line with this, Save the Children Philippines hosted a two-day event titled, “Usapang Child Rights: A Research Forum on Children’s Rights in the Time of Covid19” on November 25 and 26, 2020 to discuss how the pandemic affected children’s rights to health, education, participation, and protection. It was attended by key child rights experts, legislators, government representatives, and the academe.

Wilma Banaga, Child Protection Advisor of Save the Children Philippines, said support services to parents and caregivers, including counselling and parenting advice, should be integrated in the Covid19 response at the community level.

“The pandemic increases the stress of parents and caregivers because of the fear of getting infected, the struggle to bring food on the table, and the continued uncertainties of the situation. Increased levels of stress can sometimes lead to increased aggression towards their children or their spouses,” Banaga said.