Santo Domingo.- On World Children’s Day, the Dominican Republic confronts a pressing crisis of violence against minors, as highlighted by a surge in tragic incidents reported throughout 2025. While the nation has made strides in areas like breastfeeding, maternal care, and curbing child marriage, UNICEF has raised alarms over escalating issues in violent discipline and child protection, calling for immediate governmental intervention. Recent UNICEF statistics reveal a troubling rise in violent discipline against children aged 1 to 14, increasing from 62.9% to 63.5%, indicating deteriorating conditions within households. This year has also witnessed a series of high-profile cases involving extreme violence, including kidnappings, abuse, and homicides of children as young as one year old across provinces such as Santo Domingo, La Romana, and Dajabón. UNICEF emphasizes that these incidents are not isolated but rather indicative of systemic failures in prevention, protection, and family support systems. The organization urges the government to prioritize comprehensive measures to safeguard children and address the root causes of these pervasive issues.
UNICEF warns of rising violence against children in the Dominican Republic
