Chapter 13: Violence Against Children: Consequences for the Affected Children and Prevention Approaches

Worldwide children face violent discipline in multiple settings like schools, family homes, or institutional care. In many countries, it is socially accepted and widespread. Violent discipline has many faces: It can be physical, emotional, obvious, or subtle. It has the potential to seriously harm children, hinder their development and additionally have negative effects on the economic capacity of a society. This calls for the urgent need for interventions that prevent violence against children in multiple settings. The intervention Interaction Competencies with Children has modules for teachers, caregivers in institutional care, and parents. It requires few resources and is flexibly adaptable across countries and cultures. The intervention has the potential to significantly reduce violence against children and foster their development.