A disturbing new report from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNICEF reveals that violence continues to pose a severe threat to millions of children and adolescents across Latin America and the Caribbean. The comprehensive study, titled ‘Violence against children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean: New data and solutions,’ documents alarming patterns of physical, emotional, and structural violence affecting young populations throughout the region.
Between 2015 and 2022, a staggering 53,318 children and adolescents fell victim to lethal violence, with homicide representing the most extreme manifestation of a broader pattern of aggression that begins early in childhood. While recent data shows some improvement for boys aged 15-17—with homicide rates decreasing from 17.63 to 10.68 per 100,000 between 2021-2022—the situation remains critically concerning. Conversely, homicide rates among girls in the same age group doubled during this period, rising from 2.13 to 5.1 per 100,000.
The report highlights particularly troubling findings from Suriname, where nearly half of primary school students experience physical violence and over 80% have encountered at least one form of domestic violence. Further research indicates approximately 87% of adolescents and nearly 96% of young adults reported experiencing at least one form of childhood maltreatment during their lifetimes.
According to the organizations, this violence epidemic stems from multiple interconnected factors, including increased armed violence linked to organized crime, widespread firearm availability, social inequality, and harmful gender norms. The research emphasizes how different forms of violence reinforce one another: six out of ten children under 14 experience violent disciplinary methods at home, one in four adolescents aged 13-17 face school bullying, and nearly one in five women in the region report experiencing sexual violence before turning 18.
UNICEF Regional Director Roberto Benes stressed that children are exposed to violence daily—in homes, schools, and gang-controlled communities. ‘We know how to stop this violence,’ Benes stated. ‘This requires strong, consistent public policies so every child can grow up in a safe environment.’
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa highlighted the lasting impact of violence on children’s physical and mental health, noting that ‘health services play a crucial role in prevention and care. Early detection and timely, quality care can make all the difference for victims and their environments.’
The report concludes with evidence-based solutions, urging governments to strengthen child protection laws, improve firearm oversight, enhance training for education and law enforcement professionals, support non-violent parenting programs, and invest in safe learning environments and accessible support services. These recommendations were validated during a regional ministerial consultation in October 2025 attended by over 300 representatives from health, education, justice, and child protection sectors.
