Plan launches world-wide campaign to end violence in schools

Plan's new global campaign targets corporal punishment, sexual violence and bullying

On 7 October Plan published a report based on its own research called “Learn Without Fear”. The publication marked the launch of a world-wide campaign designed to end all forms of violence against children in schools. 

The report reveals shocking evidence of sexual abuse in schools in Africa, Latin America and Asia with many teachers ruthlessly exploiting pupils, their victims too scared, ashamed, or traumatised to speak out and school authorities often unwilling to act on accusations.

In many countries the issue is compounded by cultural attitudes towards women and girls that make it extremely difficult for victims to resist their attackers or get justice.

Each year, it’s estimated more than 350 million children fall victim to some form of violence in school. Violence not only affects the victim’s personality, mental and physical health, and future potential but also has a knock-on effect for their families, communities and national economies.

Violence in schools ruins the one real chance of a better and more prosperous life for many children, and denies their communities and countries of a vital national asset.

Victims of violence in school are more likely to commit suicide than their classmates. Many die as a direct result of their injuries, or as a consequence of the violence, for example because of pregnancy complications or AIDS. Bullied girls are eight times more likely to be suicidal than their peers.

Plan Ireland’s CEO, David Dalton said: “This report presents shocking evidence that children across the globe are regularly sexually and physically abused by the very adults who have a duty to protect them”.

“We all have a role, whether as individuals, governments, or NGOs, to make sure that children can go to school without fear or threat of violence and receive a quality education in a safe and secure environment. Learn Without Fear may be Plan’s campaign, but it’s everyone’s responsibility. Ending violence in schools is in all our interests.”

During the three year campaign, Plan will work directly with at least 5,000 schools in 40 countries to tackle violence.

Download a copy of the report (88 pages) or an eight page summary.

Find out how you can get involved