31. January 2012

United Nations Global Survey on Violence Against Children

WOSM has been invited to participate in the latest UN Violence Studies’ global survey. This survey was launched in the end of last year and at the conclusion of the survey, a report will be presented to the UN General Assembly later this year.

The United Nations launched their Study on Violence Against Children in 2006. At that time WOSM was involved in preparing the activity guides for children to understand and appreciate issues surrounding Violence Against Children, which was published as part of the study. World Scouting also contributed to the case studies featuring Scout projects from Egypt, Namibia and El Salvador. Further in the same year, WOSM participated in the writing and field-testing of the child friendly versions of the Study, which is since being widely used.

The UN team working on the global survey on Violence Against Children have put together a facilitator’s guide, which can be used by Scout leaders to conduct the survey with a group of Scouts belonging to the age groups of 11 to 17 years. The questions for the survey have been adapted to a child friendly version in recent weeks and the documents can be downloaded below (under ‘Download survey resources’).

Pass this to your local Scout Groups at the earliest to ensure a strong participation from World Scouting. This study will not only help Scouts to reflect on their rights and safety, but will also contribute greatly to build better systems worldwide to make this world a better place for children and youth. Email your completed surveys to on or before 31st March 2012.

Click on the link below to download the Circular from WOSM concerning this survey and the message to Scouts from Ms. Marta Santos Pais, the Special Representative of the Secretary General (UN SRSG) on Violence Against Children.
WOSM Circular N° 03/2012 and Message from UN SRSG Ms. Marta Santos Pais

Download survey resources
Global Survey on Violence Against Children – Child Friendly Version
Global Survey on Violence Against Children – Facilitator’s Guide

More Information
WOSM & the UN Violence Study:
World Scouting participates in the UN Study on Violence Against Children (WOSM News 2006 - scout.org)
UN Study on Violence against Children launched (WOSM News 2006 - scout.org)
Keeping Scouts Safe From Harm (WOSM & Child Protection - scout.org)

UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (UN SRSG):

UN SRSG Violence Against Children
UN SRSG VAC Child Friendly Reports
UN Violence Study