CDC releases guidance on best available evidence to reduce violence against children

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a global technical package to prevent violence against children, THRIVES.

Recognising the high prevalence of violence against children globally and the associated significant health, social and economic costs, the technical package presents guidance to countries on the best available violence prevention evidence to reduce violence against children. Specifically, THRIVES "represents a select group of complementary strategies that reflect the best available evidence to help countries sharpen their focus on priorities with the greatest potential to reduce violence against children."

The strategies, which span health, social services, education and justice sectors, contain evidence-based interventions classified as "effective" or "promising" as well as "prudent practice."

The THRIVES strategies are:

• T - Training in Parenting
• H - Household economic strengthening
• R - Reduced violence through legal protection
• I - Improved Services
• V - Values and norms that protect children
• E - Education and life skills
• S - Surveillance and evaluation

The technical package considers each of the THRIVES components by discussing the strategy rationale, types of interventions, impact of potential outcomes and the supporting evidence.

It notes that although THRIVES identifies core components of a technical package to prevent violence against children, not every program that uses a specific component can be classified as effective. It also notes that the a monitoring and evaluation component is critical to informing future directions in the prevention of violence against children.

CDC resources on preventing child abuse and neglect:

Child Maltreatment Prevention

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers

Essentials for Childhood Framework: Steps to Create Safe, Stable, and Nurturing Relationships and Environments for all Children

Further resources:

Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect, Child Welfare Information Gateway, US Department of Health and Human Services
Resources on child abuse prevention, protecting children from risk of abuse, and strengthening families. Includes information on supporting families, protective factors, public awareness, community activities, positive parenting, prevention programs, and more, and access to the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website.

UN Resolution on Ending Violence against Children: A Global Call to Make the Invisible Visible (A/HRC/RES/25/10, 14/04/2014)

In Aotearoa New Zealand, SKIP (Strategies with Kids│Information for Parents) provides a range of parenting resources, as well as funding, training, networking, hosting and support with evaluation. Resources are available for parents as well people working with parents and communities to provide support. "Whakatipu" kaupapa Māori resources reinforce how tamariki and parents can learn together through play at every age and stage. SKIP booklets are also available in 18 languages other than English.