The chain we must break: child violence
We live trapped in a culture of violence that is passed down from generation to generation. Today, we are not just facing isolated incidents, but a true social epidemic that has contaminated every space: the home, the school, the community.
Violence is no longer an exception, but a learned, tolerated, and even justified norm. And the most alarming thing is that our children are growing up in this environment, reproducing what they see and experience.
Shocking cases of children who murder other children , mothers who take the lives of their children, and teenagers involved in serious crimes .
These are not just isolated incidents; they reflect a sick society . The violence we are experiencing has become a public health problem that requires urgent action and resolution.
Investing where necessary and, above all, prioritizing the emotional education of our children at home and at school.
According to the 2019 ENHOGAR-MICS Survey , nearly 40% of children aged 1 to 14 in the Dominican Republic have been victims of violence in their homes (ONE/UNICEF).
Furthermore, CONANI reveals that 29% of sexual crimes affect minors, and most of the offenders are members of their immediate family.
At the regional level, Latin America maintains one of the highest homicide rates on the planet, with 17.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, according to PAHO 2023, tripling the global average. The Dominican Republic is no exception.
Between January and August 2024, 34 femicides were recorded in this country, a figure that continues to rise, according to the Attorney General's Office.
This situation demands much more than lamentations and indignation: it requires action. Understanding that violence is not eradicated solely through punishment, but through prevention .
Identifying its causes , addressing its roots, and investing in comprehensive education programs, mental health , and job opportunities .
Let us strive for a fairer distribution of wealth and more opportunities for the majority. And let us strengthen the family as the only sustainable path and means.
Breaking this chain requires courage, political will, sustained resources, and a society that stops normalizing abuse . We need better leaders , politicians, and government officials. And above all, a citizenry determined to build a culture of peace .
Sources : ONE, CONANI , UNICEF, WHO, PAHO, Ministry of Women.
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