UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre has been designated as the organization most favoured for the provision of research guidance and support to the global Study of Violence against Children, led by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, an Independent Expert appointed by the United Nations Secretary General.
The Study, rooted in children’s human rights to protection from all forms of violence, aims to promote action to prevent and eliminate violence against children at international, regional, national and local level.
IRC is part of the editorial board for the Study and, additionally, provides a venue for discussion and reflection. It is also committed to analysing IRC research relevant to the Study; reviewing the UN and the European standards and mechanisms, the latter in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; reviewing the work of the Global Network of Ombuds Offices; developing creative documentation for the Study, including the development of a proposal for a documentary film on the Study, as well as sharing and identifying academic research documents; providing input and support for the Regional Consultations. Additionally, as an outcome of the expert consultation held at IRC on 10-11 February 2005 on deriving a global estimate for the Study, IRC was designated as the ‘hub’ for work on the estimate.
The Study is a UN-led collaboration, mandated by the General Assembly, to draw together existing research and relevant information about the forms, causes and impact of violence which affects children and young people (up to the age of 18 years). A major report will be published in 2006 and recommendations presented to the UN General Assembly.