World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse

...children have the right

to participate in decision-making processes

that may be relevant in their lives

and to influence decisions taken in their regard—

within the family, the school or the community.

Article 12: The Right of Participation

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Can't help wondering...
what you're wondering about?

I'm wondering how it is that today is
World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse (19 November)
and I didn't know anything about it?

I mean it isn't like I don't spend part of every day researching, reading, writing, and thinking about child abuse. It isn't like I don't have several tracking services to locate information on child abuse for me. It isn't like I do anything to avoid learning more about child abuse.

So how is it that this day came as a surprise to me?

One answer may be related to the fact that I live in the United States, one of the two countries that haven't ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United States signed the convention, which signals an intention to ratify...eventually. The other country that didn't sign is, Somalia whcih cannot sign as it has "no recognized government."

But of course the United States has its reasons for not yet ratifying the convention:
As in many other nations, the United States undertakes an extensive examination and scrutiny of treaties before proceeding to ratify. This examination, which includes an evaluation of the degree of compliance with existing law and practice in the country at state and federal levels, can take several years—or even longer if the treaty is portrayed as being controversial or if the process is politicized. Moreover, the US Government typically will consider only one human rights treaty at a time. Currently, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is cited as the nation's top priority among human rights treaties.

A summary of the rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child is available for those lacking time enough to read the entire convention. Among other things, the convention "affirms that children are full-fledged persons who have the right to express their views in all matters affecting them and requires that those views be heard and given due weight in accordance with the child's age and maturity."

You can also learn "What Individuals Can Do" if you think now is the time to take a stand on this issue. As for me, I'll call 1-800-965-4701 and tell my congressman and senators that I think it's past time for ratifying this convention and joining the rest of the world in the efforts to prevent child abuse.

A Child is Waiting,
Take care...be aware,
Nancy Lee