CHILD PROTECTION
“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.” ~ UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy
Lucero, 5, Guatemala
Lucero, 5, holds a doll in front of her face, in her foster home in Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala. She and her siblings, Maria Jose, 13, Kevin, 11, and Luz Clarita, 8, were neglected and abandoned by their mother, who is living with an abusive man who is not their father. She left the children with their elderly grandfather, who could not take care of them. Maria Jose worked in a market every day after school to pay for food, while Kevin begged on the streets with his grandfather. A month ago, neighbours reported the situation to the police and authorities from the Social Welfare Secretariat and the Children and Adolescents Section of the Attorney Generalís Office took the children to a shelter, where social workers placed them with foster mother Maricela Cuc. The children are thriving in her care, and the shelter hopes to keep them together and not institutionalize them though their future remains unclear. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2276/Susan Markisz
Gabriela and Juan, Bolivia
On 24 April 2014 in Bolivia, (foreground) Gabriela [NAME CHANGED], 13, embraces her 1-year-old son, Juan [NAME CHANGED], during a therapy session at CEPAT, the Centro de Prevención y Atención Terapeútica (Specialized Centre for Prevention and Therapeutic Care), in the city of Potosí , capital of Potosí Department. Abandoned by her mother at age 3, Gabriela had been living with her grandmother and never attended school. Left alone most of the day while her grandmother worked, she was molested several times and had her son as a result of being raped by a 50-year old neighbour. She and Juan have been living at a nearby shelter since his birth. Gabriela now attends school and receives counselling and other social services through CEPAT. "I am having trouble learning to read, but I want to learn to read and write. I am also learning to be a seamstress to make 'polleras' [costumes for indigenous women] in order to earn money to support my son." Gabriela has a married sister living in Argentina who has visited her only once since she entered the shelter. The therapists at CEPAT are trying to identify other family members who may be able to help her, but neither her mother nor her sister appear to be willing to fill that role. Nevertheless, Gabriela says that she would like one day to go to Argentina "to work and raise my son. My mother and sister live there." The CEPAT facility was set up three years ago by UNICEF, in partnership with the Departmental Social Protection Services (Servicio Departamental de Gestion Social/Sedeges). ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0454/Susan Markisz
Gabriela, 13, Bolivia
In April 2014, Gabriela, 13, [NAME CHANGED] stands near a window after a counselling session at the CEPAT (Centro Especializado de Prevención y Atención Terapeútica) therapeutic care centre, in the city of Potosí, capital of Potosí Department, Bolivia. Abandoned by her biological mother at the age of three, Gabriela had been living with her 76-year-old grandmother and never attended school. Left alone most of the day while her grandmother worked, she was molested several times, and a year and a half ago, gave birth to a son, the result of a rape by a 50-year old neighbour. After the birth of her child, she and her son have been living together at a nearby shelter. She now attends school and receives counselling and other social services through CEPAT. "I am having trouble learning to read, but I want to learn to read and write. I am also learning to be a seamstress to make 'polleras' (costumes) [for indigenous women] in order to earn money to support my son." Gabriela has a married sister living in Argentina, who has visited her once since she entered the shelter. The therapists at CEPAT are trying to identify other family members who may be able to help her, but neither her mother nor sister appear to be able to fill that role. Nevertheless, Gabriela says that she would like one day to go to Argentina "to work and raise my son. My mother and sister live there," she says. The Centre provides therapeutic and psychological support for children who have been sexually abused. The CEPAT facility was set up three years ago by UNICEF, in partnership with the Departmental Social Protection Services (Servicio Departamental de Gestion Social/Sedeges). ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0521/Susan Markisz
Play, Bolivia
One-year-old Juan [NAME CHANGED], plays with toys while his mother Gabriela [NAME CHANGED] speaks with a therapist at CEPAT, the Centro de Prevención y Atención Terapeútica (Specialized Centre for Prevention and Therapeutic Care), in the city of Potosí, capital of Potosí Department. Abandoned by her mother at age 3, Gabriela had been living with her grandmother and never attended school. Left alone most of the day while her grandmother worked, she was molested several times and had her son as a result of being raped by a 50-year old neighbour. She and Juan have been living at a nearby shelter since his birth. Gabriela now attends school and receives counselling and other social services through CEPAT. © UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0527/Susan Markisz
Gabriela, Bolivia
On 24 April 2014 in Bolivia, (foreground) Gabriela [NAME CHANGED], 13, holds her 1-year-old son, Juan [NAME CHANGED], while speaking with a therapist at CEPAT, the Centro de Prevención y Atención Terapeútica (Specialized Centre for Prevention and Therapeutic Care), in the city of Potosí, capital of Potosí Department. Abandoned by her mother at age 3, Gabriela had been living with her grandmother and never attended school. Left alone most of the day while her grandmother worked, she was molested several times and had her son as a result of being raped by a 50-year old neighbour. She and Juan have been living at a nearby shelter since his birth. Gabriela now attends school and receives counselling and other social services through CEPAT. "I am having trouble learning to read, but I want to learn to read and write. I am also learning to be a seamstress to make 'polleras' [costumes for indigenous women] in order to earn money to support my son." Gabriela has a married sister living in Argentina who has visited her only once since she entered the shelter. The therapists at CEPAT are trying to identify other family members who may be able to help her, but neither her mother nor her sister appear to be willing to fill that role. Nevertheless, Gabriela says that she would like one day to go to Argentina "to work and raise my son. My mother and sister live there." The CEPAT facility was set up three years ago by UNICEF, in partnership with the Departmental Social Protection Services (Servicio Departamental de Gestion Social/Sedeges). ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0457/Susan Markisz
Group Therapy, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Eveny [NAME CHANGED], 14, draws during a group therapy session, at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She was raped one Sunday afternoon by the son of the pastor of her church, who then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She did not tell her parents, fearing that they would not understand or would blame her for what happened. But when neighbours alerted her parents to the incident, they accompanied her to the police to report it. Eveny is working with social workers at the shelter, including in her native Qíeqchí, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. The shelter is far from Eveny's home, so it is difficult for her to attend as often as she would like. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2282/Susan Markisz
Eveny, 14, Guatemala
Eveny, [NAME CHANGED], 14, stands outside a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited, in November 2012 in Guatemala. She was raped one Sunday afternoon by the son of the pastor of her church, who then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She did not tell her parents, fearing that they would not understand or would blame her for what happened. But when neighbours alerted her parents to the incident, they accompanied her to the police to report it. Eveny is working with social workers at the shelter, including in her native Q’eqchi’, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. The shelter is far from her Eveny’s home, so it is difficult for her to attend as often as she would like. ©UNICEF/2012/Susan Markisz
Eveny, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Eveny [NAME CHANGED], 14, participates in a group therapy session at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She was raped one Sunday afternoon by the son of the pastor of her church, who then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She did not tell her parents, fearing that they would not understand or would blame her for what happened. But when neighbours alerted her parents to the incident, they accompanied her to the police to report it. Eveny is working with social workers at the shelter, including in her native Qíeqchí, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. The shelter is far from her Eveny's home, so it is difficult for her to attend as often as she would like. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2284/Susan Markisz
Marleni, Guatemala
Marleni, [NAME CHANGED], 12, participates in an art therapy session at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She is behind a paper flower inscribed with words that include love, tranquility, care and understanding. Marleni was physically abused by her mother and stepfather and threatened with sexual abuse. She went to live with her maternal grandfather, but her mother demanded she return home. With no other family members to care for her, Marleni now lives with a foster family. She is working with social workers at the shelter and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012/Susan Markisz
Child Protection, Guatemala
An adolescent girl stands outside a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited, in November 2012 in Guatemala. She is working with social workers at the shelter, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/2012/Susan Markisz
Leaving Anger in the Past, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Eveny [NAME CHANGED], 14, writes on a balloon during a group therapy session, at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She has written (in Spanish), "I want to leave anger [in the past]." She was raped one Sunday afternoon by the son of the pastor of her church, who then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She did not tell her parents, fearing that they would not understand or would blame her for what happened. But when neighbours alerted her parents to the incident, they accompanied her to the police to report it. Eveny is working with social workers at the shelter, including in her native Qíeqchí, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. The shelter is far from Eveny's home, so it is difficult for her to attend as often as she would like. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2280/Susan Markisz
Michel, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Michel, [NAME CHANGED], 14, participates in a group therapy session at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She was twice kidnapped, drugged and raped by a family member. Despite repeated threats from him, he lives nearby with his wife. Michel and her mother reported the rape to the police where the case is progressing. But, other extended family members are not supportive. Michel's father committed suicide in front of her when she was very young. Michel is working with social workers at the shelter and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2285/Susan Markisz
Eveny, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Eveny [NAME CHANGED], 14, tapes her drawing and writing project on a wall during a group therapy session, at a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She was raped one Sunday afternoon by the son of the pastor of her church, who then threatened to kill her if she told anyone. She did not tell her parents, fearing that they would not understand or would blame her for what happened. But when neighbours alerted her parents to the incident, they accompanied her to the police to report it. Eveny is working with social workers at the shelter, including in her native Qíeqchí, and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. The shelter is far from Eveny's home, so it is difficult for her to attend as often as she would like. © UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2283/Susan Markisz
Marleni, Guatemala
In November 2012 in Guatemala, Marleni, [NAME CHANGED], 12, stands outside a shelter for children who have been abused or sexually exploited. She was physically abused by her mother and stepfather and threatened with sexual abuse. She went to live with her maternal grandfather but her mother demanded that she return home. With no other family members to care for her, Marleni now lives with a foster family. She is working with social workers at the shelter and attends group therapy sessions with other adolescent girls who have survived sexual exploitation or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2286/Susan Markisz
Maria Jose, Guatemala
Maria Jose, 13, stands by a window in her foster home in Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala in November 2012. The girls, their older sister, Maria Jose, 13, and their brother, Kevin, 11, were neglected and abandoned by their mother, who is living with an abusive man who is not their father. She left the children with their elderly grandfather, who could not take care of them: Maria Jose worked in a market every day after school to pay for food, while Kevin begged on the streets with his grandfather. Neighbours reported the situation to the police and authorities from the Social Welfare Secretariat and the Children and Adolescents Section of the Attorney General's Office took the children to a shelter, where social workers placed them with foster mother Maricela Cuc. The children are thriving in her care, and the shelter hopes to keep them together and not institutionalize them though their future remains unclear. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2275/Susan Markisz
Luz Clarita, Guatemala
Luz Clarita, 8 stands by an open window in her foster home in Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala in November 2012. Luz and her siblings, Maria Jose, 13, Kevin, 11, and Lucero, 5, were neglected and abandoned by their mother, who is living with an abusive man who is not their father. She left the children with their elderly grandfather, who could not take care of them: Maria Jose worked in a market every day after school to pay for food, while Kevin begged on the streets with his grandfather. Neighbours reported the situation to the police and authorities from the Social Welfare Secretariat and the Children and Adolescents Section of the Attorney General's Office took the children to a shelter, where social workers placed them with foster mother Maricela Cuc. The children are thriving in her care, and the shelter hopes to keep them together and not institutionalize them though their future remains unclear. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2273/Susan Markisz
Foster Family, Guatemala
Maricela Cuc reads to two of her foster children, (left-right) sisters Lucero, 5, and Luz Clarita, 8, at home in Alta Verapaz Department, Guatemala, in November 2012. The girls, their older sister, Maria Jose, 13, and their brother, Kevin, 11, were neglected and abandoned by their mother, who is living with an abusive man who is not their father. She left the children with their elderly grandfather, who could not take care of them: Maria Jose worked in a market every day after school to pay for food, while Kevin begged on the streets with his grandfather. Neighbours reported the situation to the police and authorities from the Social Welfare Secretariat and the Children and Adolescents Section of the Attorney General's Office took the children to a shelter, where social workers placed them with foster mother Maricela Cuc. The children are thriving in her care, and the shelter hopes to keep them together and not institutionalize them though their future remains unclear. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2012-2271/Susan Markisz
Shelter, Potosí, Bolivia
A boy stands in a crib at the Centro de Acogida Niño de Praga shelter, in the city of Potosí, capital of Potosí Department, Bolivia, in May 2014. The facility temporarily shelters children who have experienced abandonment, neglect or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0528/Susan Markisz
Shelter, Potosí, Bolivia
A boy stands in a crib at the Centro de Acogida Niño de Praga shelter, in the city of Potosí, capital of Potosí Department, Bolivia, in May 2014. The facility temporarily shelters children who have experienced abandonment, neglect or other forms of abuse. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0530/Susan Markisz
Concerned Parents, Potosí, Bolivia
Miners and concerned parents of children who attend Robertito School in Cerro Rico Mines in the city of Potos, capital of Potosí Department, Bolivia, discuss the challenges they and their children face. Named for one of the nearby mines, the school serves over 90 children of mining families. Founded in 2007 by the local NGO Voces Libres, the UNICEF-supported school is located at 4,700 metres (over 15,000 feet) above sea level and is the only educational facility serving the mining community for whom education would be otherwise inaccessible; the nearest school is a two-hour walk away. Cerro Rico mines have been in operation for more than 470 years. Once the world's foremost supplier of silver, they are now worked for lead, zinc and silver ore. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2014-0506/Susan Markisz
Watchful, Colombia
A man outside a store watches students from the Robert Owen Educational Institute and the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme pass by in Moravia, a poor neighbourhood in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia in 2009. The programme finds out-of-school children suffering from social exclusion or violence and supports their return. In the municipalities of Medellín and Ipiales, more than 1,700 children have returned to school through the programme. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1780/Susan Markisz
Going Home from School, Medellin
Boys from the Robert Owen Educational Institute walk home from school in Moravia, a poor neighbourhood in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia in 2009. They live in a part of the neighbourhood built on a toxic landfill known as El Morro. The children are accompanied by officials from their school and from the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme. The programme finds out-of-school children suffering from social exclusion or violence and supports their return. In the municipalities of Medellín and Ipiales, more than 1,700 children have returned to school through the programme. Because of El Morro's toxicity, the government is relocating its residents to another neighbourhood. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1777/Susan Markisz
Bully
A boy pushes past another boy to bully a third (in white shirt) who is holding a yoyo and is on the verge of tears, during recess at the Robert Owen Educational Institute in Moravia, a poor neighbourhood in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia. Through the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme, more than 1,700 children have returned to school in the municipalities of Medellín and Ipiales. The programme finds out-of-school children suffering from social exclusion or violence and supports their return to the classroom. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1769/Susan Markisz
Bullying
A boy holds his throat and is on the verge of tears after being bullied by another boy, during recess at the Robert Owen Educational Institute in Moravia, a poor neighbourhood in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia in 2009. Through the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme, more than 1,700 children have returned to school in the municipalities of Medellín and Ipiales. The programme finds out-of-school children suffering from social exclusion or violence and supports their return to the classroom. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1769/Susan Markisz
Adolescent Sex Worker, Colombia
An adolescent girl sex worker solicits a passing taxi driver on the street at night near Bolivar Park in the neighbourhood of Niquiato in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia. Outreach workers from the Department of Social Welfare and the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme are searching the area, hoping to identify children who live or work on the streets or who are being abused or sexually exploited, and persuade them to go to shelters where they can receive food and social services and begin the process of returning to school. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1803/Susan Markisz
Respect Yourself and Others
An elderly woman stands behind a window where a poster is displayed at the Cotoca Abajo Educational Centre Primary School in the northern municipality of Lorica in Cordoba Department, Colombia in 2009. The poster drawing shows a boy and a girl hugging and reads: 'Respect yourself and others.' ©UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1828/Susan Markisz
Outreach, Medellín, Colombia
An outreach worker from the city of Medellín's Department of Social Welfare speaks with two adolescent girls she found on the street at night in Bolivar Park in the neighbourhood of Niquiato in Medellín, Colombia in 2009. The girls have been sniffing glue. The team also includes members from the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme. They hope to identify children who live or work on the streets or who are being abused or sexually exploited, and persuade them to go to shelters where they can receive food and social services and begin the process of returning to school. The girls have agreed to go to a shelter. © UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1801/Susan Markisz
Outreach, Medellín, Colombia
A 15-year-old girl sniffs glue as she speaks with outreach workers from the city of Medellín's Department of Social Welfare, on the street at night in Bolivar Park in the neighbourhood of Niquiato in Medellín, capital of Antioquia Department, Colombia in 2009. The outreach team also includes members from the UNICEF-assisted 'School Going to the Child' programme. They hope to identify children who live or work on the streets or who are being abused or sexually exploited, and persuade them to go to shelters where they can receive food and social services and begin the process of returning to school. © UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1799/Markisz
Fatherless, Jamaica
A member of the "Fatherless" gang shows his tattoo, bearing the name of his gang, in the community of Rema in the parish of Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica, in 2008. Many of the gang's members have lost their fathers to gun violence. The community suffers high levels of violence, including by gangs. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2008-0308/Susan Markisz
Graca Machel in Security Council
Former Education Minister for Mozambique and author of the landmark UN report on 'The Impact of War on Children' Graca Machel addresses participants during a special Security Council meeting on the impact of war on children on 7 May 2002. Wilmot, 16, a boy delegate from Liberia, who is also a speaker at the meeting, is seated beside her.
©UNICEF/NYHQ2002-0111/Susan Markisz
Ismael Beah Presser
UNICEF Advocate for Children Affected by War Ishmael Beah speaks at the press conference announcing the creation of the Network of Young People Affected by War, at UN Headquarters on 20 November 2008.
©UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1160/Susan Markisz
Peace Initiative, Jamaica
Young men shake hands with Peace Management Initiative (PMI) Community Outreach Officer Milton Tomlinson and UNICEF Advocate for Children Affected by War Ishmael Beah (right), in the Rema community in the parish of Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica in 2008. The community suffers from high levels of violence, including by gangs. PMI works to prevent violence and promote peace in this and other violence-affected communities in Kingston. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2008-0248/Susan Markisz
We Choose Peace, Jamaica
Boys walk near a mural promoting peace, at the Eastern Peace Centre in the Mountain View community in the parish of Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica in May 2008. The Centre provides recreational activities, life-skills and conflict-resolution training and safe spaces for young people in violence-affected communities. ©UNICEF/NYHQ2008-0255/Susan Markisz