More than fifteen years after the unanimous adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child there is much to be done to ensure that children and adolescents are protected from all forms of violence. While we have made progress in establishing the legal framework and although we have many examples of positive initiatives, efforts to prevent and respond to violence against children in Latin America are very shy, especially considering that it is now just one of the biggest concerns entire region.
Latin America Report on Violence against Children and Adolescents, prepared by the organizations that comprise the Regional Secretariat for the UN Study on the same subject, contains a thorough summary of knowledge and experience accumulated by many governmental and NGOs dedicated to the promotion and protection of child rights in the region. Sea
inside homes, schools, streets, or in places of detention, violence often goes unnoticed and has serious implications on the lives of thousands of children also affects their communities. Effective strategies are essential to prevent various forms of violence continue, as well as mechanisms to ensure that when they occur, are quickly identified and that their victims are properly protected and receive adequate support.
In Latin America the situation can be alarming. The homicide rate in adolescents are among the highest in the world. The lack of strong prevention programs, lack of detailed information on the situation of children and violence by state agents become the challenge of overcoming this cycle of violence extremely difficult.
This report represents a valuable input both to understand the seriousness of the box we live in, as the roads that have been found to overcome it. Represents an invaluable contribution to the global study coordinated, but must also contribute a lot in the discussions that we continue to develop in Latin America.
Fortunately, the countries of the region have repeatedly affirmed their unanimous commitment to the defense of children's rights by ratifying human rights treaties. The Buenos Aires Declaration, signed by representatives of countries attending the Regional Consultation on Violence against Children, Buenos Aires 2 005, which was also part of the United Nations Study on Violence against Children and Adolescents, reflects this commitment and points out the importance of a paradigm shift in the region clamoring for commitments by States are urgently translated into action for the protection of children.
While ensuring the protection of child rights is a state obligation, collaboration all, including civil society organizations, research centers and individual children and adolescents is essential. The violence challenges us are many, and require the participation of all. Contributions like this report are of great value and is therefore pleased to invite me to your reading. Paulo Sergio
Independent PinheiroExperto the UN Study on Violence against Children and Adolescents United Nations
http://www.crin.org/docs/UNVAC_Estudio_violencia_LA.pdf 
