Violence continues to pose a serious threat to the lives and well-being of children and adolescents across Latin America and the Caribbean, according to a new joint report by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and UNICEF. The publication, Violence against children and adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean: New data and solutions, underscores the urgent need for stronger prevention, protection, and response systems.
Between 2015 and 2022, more than 53,000 children and adolescents were killed in the region. Recent data for adolescents aged 15 to 17 shows mixed trends: while homicide rates among boys fell from 17.63 to 10.68 per 100,000 between 2021 and 2022, the rate for girls more than doubled, rising from 2.13 to 5.1 per 100,000. Experts attribute these figures to rising armed violence, organized crime, easy access to firearms, social inequalities, and harmful gender norms.
The report highlights that violence often starts at a very young age. Six out of 10 children under 14 experience violent discipline at home, one in four adolescents aged 13 to 17 faces bullying at school, and nearly one in five women report experiencing sexual violence before turning 18. The report also warns of growing violence in digital spaces, although comprehensive data remains limited.
“Every day, millions of children in Latin America and the Caribbean are exposed to violence – at home, at school, and in communities with gang presence,” said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “Strong and sustained public policies are required to prevent and respond to violence in all its forms so that every child can grow up in a safe environment.”
PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa added that health services are critical in prevention and response. “When health workers identify at-risk groups early and provide timely support, they can make a real difference for survivors, their families, and communities,” he said.
The report outlines evidence-based solutions, including stricter enforcement of child protection laws, effective control of firearms, training for police, teachers, and health workers, support for parents in respectful parenting practices, investment in safe learning environments, and expanded access to responsive services for children and adolescents.
The findings were validated during a regional ministerial consultation held in October 2025, which brought together more than 300 participants, including ministers, senior officials, civil society representatives, youth leaders, and international partners, to agree on concrete steps to build safer environments for children and adolescents.
