Child Abuse in Natural Disasters and Conflicts: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Child protection
• Public health
• Disaster response

Background:

• Violence against children is a global issue, exacerbated during emergencies and natural disasters.
• Weakened child protection systems and disrupted preventative measures heighten risks.
• Socioeconomic pressures on families, especially those affected by disasters, increase vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on violence against children in emergency contexts.
• To identify predictors and common forms of child violence during and after disasters.
• To inform humanitarian organizations in developing targeted risk-reduction strategies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 692 papers identified through database searches.
• Inclusion criteria focused on publication date, emergency relevance, geography, violence type, age, and gender.
• 11 papers were selected for final full review.

Main Results:

• Poverty, parental substance abuse, prior violence exposure, and child labor predict increased violence against children in emergencies.
• Emergency housing situations can elevate the risk of specific child abuse types.
• Reported violence rates are often lower than actual rates due to inadequate infrastructure and reporting mechanisms.
• Sexual violence against girls post-conflict and physical violence against boys post-emergency are prevalent.
• Low socioeconomic status amplifies family pressures, leading to higher rates of child violence.

Conclusions:

• Humanitarian organizations can utilize identified predictors to develop effective risk-reduction plans for emergencies.
• Addressing socioeconomic factors and providing targeted support are crucial for preventing child violence during and after disasters.
• Strengthening child protection systems and reporting mechanisms in emergency settings is essential.