Hidden Scars: How Violence Harms the Mental Health of Children

Despite these obligations and commitments, violence against children continues to take a heavy toll on their mental health and their ability to learn, grow and develop to their full potential. This report aims to support this process. It provides an overview of international evidence on the different ways in which violence harms children’s mental health, highlighting the urgent need for action. In doing so, the report considers diverse settings and forms of violence, the developmental differences in the effects of violence, and the most significant risk and protective factors. The report also highlights solutions, recognizing that despite the continuing gaps in our knowledge, there are effective approaches that should be pursued.