ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS AND CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST VULNERABLE PEOPLE : « CASE STUDY OF THE CHILDREN »

Vol. 3, No. 5, Octobre 2025 Ceci est un article en accès libre sous la licenceCC BY-NC-ND. 1372 Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) ISSN: 2960-2823 ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMICS AND CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST VULNERABLE PEOPLE : « CASE STUDY OF THE CHILDREN » M. KARIM Oiridi Lecturer and Researcher at the University of the Comoros Abstract : The child 1 is a human being with rights and dignity. Children's rights are human rights. Because of their fragility and vulnerability, they must also be subject to specific protection. Protecting them means providing them with an environment that protects them from all situations exposing them to mistreatment. Violence against vulnerable people, especially children, is a complex and persistent social problem on a global scale. This article aims to analyse the dynamics, forms and consequences of such violence, international protection mechanisms, as well as prevention and intervention strategies. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we examine the individual, family, community and societal factors that contribute to the perpetuation of this violence, as well as the devastating effects on the physical, mental and emotional health of victims. We also highlight barriers to detecting and reporting such violence, as well as gaps in support and protection systems. Finally, we discuss the implications for public policy and propose recommendations to improve prevention, awareness, and access to support services for vulnerable people. Keywords: Violence, vulnerable people, abuse, child Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17392681 1 Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) of 20 November 1989 defines a child as « any human being under the age of eighteen years, unless the age of majority is reached earlier by virtue of the legislation applicable to him ». Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1373 1 Introduction Violence against children knows no borders. It makes no distinction of race, class, religion or culture. In every country in the world, there are children who continue to be afraid and to suffer violence. No country, no region is spared. 2 Children are a particularly vulnerable category in society. Violence against vulnerable people, especially children, is a gross violation of human rights and a major challenge for societies around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) takes a broad view of violence as "the threat or intentional use of physical force or power against oneself, against others, or against a group or community that results in, or is reasonably likely to cause, trauma, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation" 3 . This definition therefore encompasses the multitude of often less obvious consequences of violent behaviours, such as problems of emotional deprivation and development, which compromise well-being at the individual, family and community levels. The forms of violence can take various manifestations, ranging from physical and sexual abuse to verbal, psychological, and economic aggression. Internationally, several instruments are put in place to safeguard the rights of vulnerable individuals and more specifically to protect children from violence. Despite progress in raising awareness of this issue and in implementing legislative and policy measures to combat it, violence against children persists in many contexts, often in the shadow of silence and stigma. 2 Dynamics and forms of violence "The abuses inflicted on children worldwide are truly alarming," says Cornelius Williams, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF. "Babies are slapped, girls and boys are coerced into sexual acts, adolescents are murdered within their communities. Violence against children spares no one and knows no bounds." Violence against children is often rooted in unequal power structures, discriminatory cultural norms, and relationships of dominance and control. Children are particularly vulnerable to various forms of violence due to their social status, economic dependence, and lack of decision-making power. For example, violence against children, as defined by Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, takes various forms and can occur in various contexts. 2.1 Types of Violence against Children In general terms, "violence against children" refers to any harm intentionally inflicted on a child by someone older than them, or any threat thereof. It can involve acts of physical, sexual, or psychological violence, neglect, failure to meet the child's basic needs, or physical violence against a pregnant woman. 2.1.1 Physical Violence Any act or omission by parents, caregivers, or any other person that results in or is likely to result in injury to the child. This can include blows causing bruises, punches or kicks, blows with an instrument, bites, burns, or other actions like beating, pushing, or shaking the child. 2 UNICEF, « Ending Violence against Children: A Guide for Parliamentarians », No. 13 – 2007, p. 5 3 WHO, « World Report on Violence and Health », WHO, 2002, p. 5 Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1374 These actions may be a form of punishment or excessive discipline. Omission is the failure to prevent a situation that could cause injury. 2.1.2 Sexual Violence «Any sexual exploitation of a child, whether the child consents or not. Sexual activities between a child and another child may be considered sexual assault if there is a significant age difference between them or if there is a power relationship. » 4 Canadian laws distinguish between exploitative and non-exploitative sexual activities occurring between a child and another child, or a child and an adult. Exploitative sexual activities encompass prostitution, pornography, situations involving trust, authority, or dependency relationships, or any other situation where the young person is otherwise exploited 5 . The age of consent for exploitative sexual activities is 18, so children under 18 are protected from any form of sexual exploitation. Regarding non-exploitative sexual activities, Canada raised the age of consent to 16 in 2008. The law includes an exception for close-age cases, allowing a 14 or 15 year old adolescent to engage in non-exploitative sexual activities with a partner who is less than five years older. The law also provides an exception for similarly aged youth, where a consenting person aged 12 or 13 can engage in non-exploitative sexual activities with a partner who is less than 2 years older (for example, a 12 year old girl may consent to have a sexual relationship with a 14 year old boy, but not a 15-year-old). Finally, any child under 12 is not considered capable of consenting to engage in sexual activity with anyone. 6 2.1.3 Psychological Violence «Repeated psychological assaults or omissions resulting in or likely to result in serious emotional harm. This includes, for example, the behavior of parents or guardians who, over an extended period, fail to provide essential attention to their child. » 7 Such acts or omissions include, among others, the failure or refusal to provide the child with necessary care, guidance, attention, security, love, emotional support, affection, or stimulation, or exposing the child to a violent environment. Rejecting, isolating, terrorizing, ignoring, corrupting, confining, or verbally assaulting (including threatening, humiliating, and ridiculing) a child, or exerting excessive pressure on them, is considered psychological violence if the behavior is repeated. An example would be locking a child in a closet or yelling at them. 2.1.4 Deliberate Neglect or Failure to Provide Care Unintentional failure by parents or caregivers to meet the child's basic physical, emotional, developmental, psychological, medical, and educational needs, which results in or is likely to result in harm to the child. This may include a parent failing to follow certain health care recommendations, delaying consultation with a healthcare professional, not providing the 4 Endom, E.E., « Physical Abuse in Children: Epidemiology and Clinical Manifestations », January 2010, Available at: http://www.uptodate.com; Definition section. 5 Ryan-Wenger, N.A. (Ed.), « Core Program for Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioners », St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 2007, p. 269. 6 Indian and Northern Health Services National Child Abuse Protocol: Addressing Legal Issues for the Health Care Team. Health Canada, Nursing Division, Medical Services: Ottawa, Ottawa, February 4, 1994, p. 6 7 Ryan-Wenger, N.A. (Ed.). Op.cit., p. 270. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1375 child with adequate nutrition and supervision, or adequately protecting them from environmental risks, neglecting the child, not offering them love, affection or attention, neglecting the child's hygiene, not meeting their educational needs, exposing them to a violent family environment, or not providing them with stimulation or play to promote their development. Inadequate nutrition and lack of social interactions contribute to poor weight gain, developmental delay, and the onset of abnormal behaviors. This form of neglect can lead to stunted growth in children or infants. 2.2 Different Contexts Violence against children is present everywhere, in all countries, societies, and social categories 8 . Indeed, acts of violence against children can occur in different contexts such as the home, school, within institutions, etc. : 2.2.1 In the Home and Family The family is the most suitable environment to protect the child and ensure their physical and emotional safety. However, the home can also be a dangerous place for children. The prevalence of violence against children by parents and other family members has been recognized in recent decades. It may be in this "private sphere" that eliminating violence proves most difficult. This violence can take the form of physical, psychological, sexual abuse, neglect, and harmful traditional practices (such as female genital mutilation 9 , , forced marriage, or honor crimes). Violence against children within the family is often inflicted in the name of discipline and can take the form of cruel or humiliating physical punishment 10 . Children may also witness family violence, which can also have harmful effects on their development 11 . 2.2.2 At school and in the school environment Schools have an important role to play in protecting children from violence. However, the school setting can expose young people to violence and sometimes teach them to be violent themselves. Violence in schools can take the form of corporal punishment, psychological violence, sexual violence, fights, bullying, etc 12 . 8 Frédérique Van Houcke, « Violence against Children : A Synthesis of the United Nations Study », 2006, p. 3 9 UN, « Report of the Independent Expert on the United Nations Study on Violence against Children », UN, 2006, pp. 13-24. 10 The Council of Europe's human rights mechanisms have been denouncing the corporal punishment of children in Europe. See: Children and Corporal Punishment: The the right to physical integrity also a right of the child, Council of Europe, 2009; The site Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children provides an overview of national legislation in the in Europe and beyond (see Global Progress section); Some EU Member States have banned corporal punishment in any setting (home, school, penal system and residential facilities), see: Prohibiting Corporal Punishment: Achieving Equal Protection for Children in EU Member States, Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2013, pp. 22-25. 11 See: Behind closed doors: the impact of domestic violence on children, UNICEF and The Body Shop International, 2006; World Report on Violence and Health, Op.cit., p. 115. 12 See: Combating violence in schools, Council of Europe, 2011. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1376 2.2.3 Within child protection and judicial institutions The exact number of children living in this setting is not known 13 . Violence within the latter may remain less visible because the institutions Residential facilities and detention facilities are often closed to the public. The children may be subjected to corporal punishment in the name of the discipline, psychological or sexual abuse, or simple neglect. Children in pre-trial detention kept in the same premises as adults are more likely to be at risk of abuse 14 . 2.2.4 In the workplace International standards exclude from the labour market children who do not have have reached the minimum age required 15 . In addition, certain forms of work, classified in the category of "worst forms of child labour", are similar to violence 16 . Among the latter are all forms of slavery or similar practices, such as child trafficking 17 , forced labour, exploitation of children for the purpose of prostitution, pornography or illegal activities. Finally, that they work in a way that is Legal or illicit, children can suffer different forms of violence. 2.2.5 In the community The community offers a framework of solidarity and protection but can also exhibit children to various forms of violence - peer-to-peer, gang violence, police brutality, physical and sexual violence, kidnappings, trafficking, etc. The violence often targets marginalized children, such as street children. He's coming also that violence is associated with the media, sometimes giving it an innocuous image and new information and communication technologies (intimidation by the Internet or mobile phones). In most cases of violence against vulnerable people, the perpetrators of violent acts are people known to the victims. Most perpetrators of violence against vulnerable people are people that victims know and should be able to trust: parents, relatives, boyfriends, classmates, teachers, employers, caregivers, caregivers, and others in positions of authority … etc. 18 . 3 Children most affected 13 According to UN estimates, in Europe and Central Asia more than one million children live in residential facilities and a significant number are in correctional facilities. See: Stop violence against children: Act now, Report of the Regional Consultation for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children, 5-7 July 2005, Ljubljana, Slovenia: UNICEF, 2005, p. 25; See also: Imprisonment of minors in Europe on the "All Europe" website. 14 UNICEF, "Children living in institutions are terribly exposed to abuse", press release, UNICEF, 2005 15 Convention No. 138 (1973) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) stipulates that the minimum age for access to employment must not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling, or in any case fifteen years of age. 16 In accordance with ILO Convention C182 (1999) on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999 17 Child trafficking is a complex phenomenon that can give rise to various forms of violence : sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced marriage, organ harvesting, etc. Like many crimes, child trafficking is difficult to quantify. The European Commission reports that in the EU, children account for around 15% of identified and alleged victims of trafficking in human beings (12% girls and 3% boys) 18 UN, « Report of the Independent Expert on the United Nations Study on Violence against Children », Op.cit., p. 10 Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1377 Every child, without exception, is at risk of being exposed to violence. However, it should be noted that while boys are at a higher risk of experiencing physical violence, girls are more likely to face sexual violence. Furthermore, according to the WHO, children from lowto middle-income countries are twice as likely to die from homicide as children living in highincome countries. Certain groups of children are particularly vulnerable. This includes children with disabilities, children belonging to minorities, children living on the streets, children in conflict with the law, and refugee or displaced children. Finally, it's the youngest children who endure the most violence. We're referring to children aged 0 to 4 years old. 4 Consequences on the health and well-being of the child The consequences of violence against children are profound and enduring, affecting all aspects of their health and well-being. Victims of violence are more likely to suffer from physical and mental health problems, including injuries, psychiatric disorders, risky behaviors, and substance abuse issues. In the most severe cases, it can lead to death or inflict profound injuries. Moreover, the traumatic effects of violence can be passed down from one generation to another, perpetuating the cycle of violence and marginalization. The human cost of violence in terms of suffering, sorrow, and pain for vulnerable individuals, especially children and their families, is immeasurable. Scientific studies demonstrate that violence against vulnerable individuals such as children results in multiple consequences for the physical and psychological health of the victims. It induces stress, which is associated with brain disruption, particularly in children during their early years and also during adolescence. Children exposed to violence, whether they are direct victims or witnesses, are at risk of suffering from problems related to the nervous and immune systems, which can lead to various cognitive disorders 19 and health-threatening behaviors, with detrimental effects on both mental and physical well-being. Violence can thus deprive children of their well-being, compromise their learning capacity and development, and hinder them from having normal social relationships, sometimes permanently marking their future adult lives 20 . Children who are victims or witnesses of violence are at risk of considering violence acceptable. The intergenerational transmission of violence is therefore referred to as the "cycle of violence." 21 Finally, exposure to multiple forms of violence appears to significantly increase the severity of the consequences for victims, suggesting a cumulative effect 22 . 5 International texts relating to the protection of the rights of the child International texts on the protection of the rights of the child include several legal instruments adopted by the United Nations and other international organizations. Here are some of the main ones: 19 Luxembourg Committee for UNICEF, Ending Violence against Children, November 2016, p. 1 20 WHO, « European Report on the Prevention of Child Maltreatment », World Health Organization, 2013, pp. 20-23. 21 Ibid., p. 3 22 M. Tourigny, M-H. Gagné, J. Joly, M-E. Chartrand, in: « Prevalence and co-occurrence of violence against children in the Quebec population », Canadian Journal of Public Health, March-April 2006, p. 1. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1378 5.1 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) The right of all children to live free from fear and violence is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified human rights treaty. 23 Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, the CRC is an international treaty that establishes the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. It defines the fundamental rights that every child should have, including the right to life, health, education, protection from violence, and participation in decision-making. After the establishment of the United Nations, the international community quickly recognized the need to protect the basic rights of children. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1959, sets out ten principles aimed at providing children with special guarantees. In 1989, the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, now ratified by 196 of the Member States (with the exception of the United States). Among the many rights enshrined in the Convention are those related to protecting the child from all forms of violence. The Convention states that "States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect the child against all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual violence, while in the care of his or her parents, legal guardians, or any other person who has the care of the child. These protective measures shall include, as appropriate, effective procedures for the establishment of social programs to provide necessary support for the child and those entrusted with his or her care, as well as for other forms of prevention, and for the purposes of identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment, and follow-up for cases of maltreatment of the child described above, and shall also include, as appropriate, procedures for judicial intervention." 24 It establishes demanding standards for the protection of the child both in the public sphere and in the private sphere of the family. In its Article 28, for example, the Convention establishes the right of the child to be protected against corporal punishment at school, while Articles 32 to 36 set out the right to be protected against exploitation, whether economic or sexual. Other articles protect children against torture, the death penalty, life imprisonment, and aim to facilitate the physical and psychological rehabilitation of children who are victims of acts of violence. 5.2 Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child Two optional protocols to the Convention detail the protection of children against certain forms of violence. The "Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography" requires states to close premises used to commit these offenses, to seize and confiscate the proceeds of these activities, and the means used to facilitate them. The "Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict" restricts the recruitment of children under 18 years of age into armed conflicts and obliges states to provide children who have participated in an armed conflict with all appropriate assistance for their physical and psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration. Adopted in 2000, both optional protocols have been ratified by more than a hundred countries 23 Najat Maalla M'jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ending Violence against Children, Reflections on the Information Provided in the 2020 Voluntary National Reviews, November 2020, p. 2 24 Article 19, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), op.cit. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1379 5.3 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security Adopted in 2000, this resolution acknowledges the disproportionate impact of armed conflicts on women and girls, as well as their role in conflict prevention and resolution and in peacebuilding. 5.4 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015, the SDGs include several specific objectives related to the protection of children's rights, such as the elimination of poverty, access to quality education, promotion of health and well-being, and combating violence and exploitation. These legal instruments aim to ensure the protection and well-being of children globally and to promote their harmonious development. 6 Extent of violence against children All children are at risk of exposure to violence. 25 Globally, every 5 minutes a child dies due to violence. Reliable data on the extent of violence against children are essential for the development of effective policies to prevent and combat it. However, the extent of violence is a difficult problem to study. It is virtually impossible to measure the true extent of this phenomenon, for a variety of reasons. On the one hand, national bodies for the protection of persons deemed vulnerable may be aware of serious cases of violence, but it also takes more discreet forms, which can however last for long periods of time. Indeed, the history of violence against children is the history of silence. Some cases of violence go unreported for a number of reasons 26 . Out of fear of retaliation, shame, or lack of trust, child victims and/or their relatives may retreat into silence. Violence stigmatizes both the victim and the perpetrator. Additionally, sometimes children do not speak out because they are unaware of safe means to seek help and report the violence they are experiencing. The social acceptance of certain forms of violence, such as justified corporal punishment for disciplinary purposes and certain traditional practices, is also a significant factor. Moreover, as revealed by a study by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), research conducted in Europe in this field presents a series of problematic characteristics, including the absence of internationally comparable data, limitations of official statistics, inequality of research studies among countries, compartmentalized approach to violence, and lack of research involving children themselves. 27 . The existence of these problems can be explained by a multitude of factors, including, for example, differences in the definitions, coverage and quality of official statistics from national administrations and in data collection methods. Children are victims of violence at all ages and in all contexts. In any case, let us point out some available figures that show the scale and seriousness of the problem at the global level : 25 Frédérique Van Houcke, Op.cit., p. 3 26 For this reason, retrospective studies of the adult population are also essential in order to determine the extent of the problem. 27 UNICEF, « Violence against children in Europe: a preliminary review of the research », UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, June 2005, p. 4. Revue Internationale de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation (Revue-IRSI) – ISSN : 2960-2823 http://www.revue-irsi.com 1380 6.1 Domestic Violence in Early Childhood ✓ Approximately three-quarters (around 300 million) of children aged 2 to 4 worldwide experience psychological aggression and/or physical punishment within their own homes from the caregivers. ✓ Nearly six out of ten children aged 12 months in 30 countries with available data are regularly subjected to violent discipline. For almost a quarter of children of this age, punishment involves shaking, and nearly one in ten is slapped or hit on the face, head, or ears. ✓ Globally, one in four children under the age of 5 lives with a mother who is a victim of violence from an intimate partner. 6.2 Sexual Violence Against Girls and Boys ✓ Around the world, approximately 15 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced forced sex or other sexual acts during their lifetime. ✓ Only 1% of adolescent girls who are victims of sexual violence seek help from professionals. ✓ On average, in the 28 countries with available data, 90% of adolescent girls who experienced forced sexual intercourse reported that the perpetrator of the first incident was someone they knew. Data from six countries suggest that friends, classmates, and partners are among the most frequently reported perpetrators of sexual violence against adolescent boys. 6.3 Violent Deaths Among Adolescents ✓ Somewhere in the world, every seven minutes, an adolescent is killed by a violent act. ✓ In the United States, non-Hispanic black boys aged 10 to 19 are nearly 19 times more likely to be murdered than non-Hispanic white boys of the same age. If the homicide rate of non-Hispanic black boys were the same for all adolescents in the country, the United States would be among the top ten countries in the world with the highest mortality rates. ✓ In 2015, a non-Hispanic black adolescent in the United States had the same risk of being murdered as a South Sudanese adolescent of dying in collective violence in his war-torn country. ✓ Latin America and the Caribbean are the only region where the adolescent homicide rate has increased; nearly half of all recorded adolescent homicides in 2015 occurred in this region. 6.4 Violence in Schools ✓ Half (732 million) of school-age children live in a country where corporal punishment in schools is not fully prohibited. ✓ Three-quarters of school shootings recorded in the past 25 years have occurred in the United States. 7 Prevention and Intervention Strategies Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, an independent expert in charge of the UN Secretary-General's study on violence against children, said: "Children are tired of being presented as our future. They want us to keep our promises now and for their right to be protected from violence to be a