Increasing Awareness of ICFO’s War on Crime Against Our Children

• Grave violations against children:
• The United Nations Security Council has identified and condemned six grave violations against children in times of war,
• including killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals,
• rape or other grave sexual violence, abduction of children, and denial of humanitarian access for children
• Lack of accountability:
• Despite efforts to protect children during times of war, many war crimes against children go unpunished. Amnesty International has called for the
• UN Security Council to enforce the rules protecting children and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions
• Reluctance to name perpetrators:
• There is often a reluctance to name perpetrators of war crimes against children, which can hinder efforts to hold them accountable.
• The UN secretariat and Security Council’s working group on children and armed conflict have been criticized for failing to name abusers,
• such as the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in the armed conflict in Yemen
• Children as targets:
• Children have become frontline targets in armed conflicts, facing widespread killing, maiming, abduction, sexual violence, and recruitment into armed groups.
• They are also vulnerable to attacks on schools, hospitals, and essential water facilities
• Evidence of war crimes:

• There is evidence of war crimes against children in various conflicts around the world, including in Ukraine where the Russian government has been accused of systematic efforts to sever communication between taken children and their families

Efforts to protect children during times of war are ongoing, and it is important to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and provide support and resources to victims of war crimes against children.

It is difficult to assess the effectiveness of the War on Crimes Against Our Children initiative, as it is an ongoing effort with many different components. However, here are some key developments and challenges related to this issue:

• Strengthening prevention and early warning mechanisms: According to a UN report, the most effective way to protect children and youth from atrocity crimes is by strengthening prevention and early warning mechanisms, with a focus on identifying risks and developing institutional mechanisms for implementation
• Lack of accountability: Despite efforts to protect children during times of war, many war crimes against children go unpunished. Amnesty International has called for the UN Security Council to enforce the rules protecting children and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions
• International criminal law: International criminal law includes enumerations of crimes directed specifically against children, such as the war crimes of enlistment, conscription, and use of child soldiers
• National strategy: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to fight all aspects of child exploitation, including online child victimization, through investigations and prosecutions, outreach and awareness, victim services, and policy and legislative initiatives
• Six grave violations against children: The United Nations Security Council has identified and condemned six grave violations against children in times of war, including killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals, rape or other grave sexual violence, abduction of children, and denial of humanitarian access for children
• Children as frontline targets: Children have become frontline targets in armed conflicts, facing widespread killing, maiming, abduction, sexual violence, and recruitment into armed groups. They are also vulnerable to attacks on schools, hospitals, and essential water facilities

While there have been some positive developments in the War on Crimes Against Our Children initiatives, such as the identification of grave violations against children and the development of prevention mechanisms, there are still many challenges to overcome. The lack of accountability for war crimes against children is a major obstacle, and there is a need for continued efforts to protect children during times of war and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

The War on Crimes Against Our Children initiative has several specific goals to protect children from harm and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Here are some examples:

• Strengthening prevention and early warning mechanisms: The most effective way to protect children and youth from atrocity crimes is by strengthening prevention and early warning mechanisms, with a focus on identifying risks and developing institutional mechanisms for implementation
• Investigations and prosecutions: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction outlines goals and objectives in the fight against child exploitation in four areas, including investigations and prosecutions
• Outreach and awareness: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction also aims to engage in public outreach and awareness to prevent children from being victimized in the first place, whether through enticement of the unwary online or through their exploitation on the streets
• Policy and legislative initiatives: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction outlines goals for policy and legislative initiatives to address the unique circumstances that lead to child exploitation
• Holding perpetrators accountable: Amnesty International has called for the UN Security Council to enforce the rules protecting children and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, including war crimes against children
• Enumerating crimes against children: International criminal law includes enumerations of crimes directed specifically against children, such as the war crimes of enlistment, conscription, and use of child soldiers
• Ending violence against children: The United Nations has set a target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
• Identifying grave violations against children: The United Nations Security Council has identified and condemned six grave violations against children in times of war, including killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals, rape or other grave sexual violence, abduction of children, and denial of humanitarian access for children

These goals are part of an ongoing effort to protect children during times of war and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Individuals can get involved in the War on Crimes Against Our Children initiative in several ways. Here are some examples:

• Supporting prevention and early warning mechanisms: The most effective way to protect children and youth from atrocity crimes is by strengthening prevention and early warning mechanisms, with a focus on identifying risks and developing institutional mechanisms for implementation
• Supporting investigations and prosecutions: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction outlines goals and objectives in the fight against child exploitation in four areas, including investigations and prosecutions.
• Individuals can support these efforts by reporting a suspected child exploitation to law enforcement agencies
• Engaging in public outreach and awareness: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction aims to engage in public outreach and awareness to prevent children from being victimized in the first place, whether through the enticement of the unwary online or through their exploitation on the streets.
• Individuals can support these efforts by sharing information about child exploitation and ways to prevent it with their communities
• Supporting policy and legislative initiatives: The National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction outlines goals for policy and legislative initiatives to address the unique circumstances that lead to child exploitation. Individuals can support these efforts by advocating for laws and policies that protect children from harm
• Advocating for accountability: Amnesty International has called for the UN Security Council to enforce the rules protecting children and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, including war crimes against children.
• Individuals can support these efforts by advocating for accountability for war crimes against children and supporting organizations that work to hold perpetrators accountable
• Supporting reintegration efforts: Children who have been recruited or used by armed forces or armed groups may need extensive support to reintegrate into their families and communities.
• Individuals can support these efforts by supporting organizations that provide services to former child soldiers and advocating for their rights
• Raising awareness about grave violations against children: The United Nations Security Council has identified and condemned six grave violations against children in times of war, including killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals, rape or other grave sexual violence, abduction of children, and denial of humanitarian access for children.
• Individuals can raise awareness about these violations and advocate for measures to protect children during times of war

Raising awareness about crimes against children during times of war is an important way to support the War on Crimes Against Our Children initiative. Here are some ways individuals can raise awareness:

• Sharing information: Individuals can share information about the six grave violations against children during times of war, including killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, attacks on schools or hospitals, rape or other grave sexual violence, abduction of children, and denial of humanitarian access for children
• Advocating for accountability: Individuals can advocate for accountability for war crimes against children and support organizations that work to hold perpetrators accountable
• Supporting prevention and early warning mechanisms: Individuals can support efforts to strengthen prevention and early warning mechanisms, with a focus on identifying risks and developing institutional mechanisms for implementation
• Supporting reintegration efforts: Individuals can support efforts to reintegrate former child soldiers into their families and communities by supporting organizations that provide services to former child soldiers and advocating for their rights
• Participating in campaigns: Individuals can participate in campaigns such as “Children, Not Soldiers” to bring about a global consensus that child soldiers should not be used in conflict

Sharing personal stories: Individuals can share personal stories about the impact of war crimes on children to raise awareness and promote empathy

These are some ways individuals can raise awareness about crimes against children during times of war. By raising awareness, individuals can help promote the protection of children during times of war and support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

There are several organizations and initiatives that focus specifically on raising awareness about crimes against children during times of war. Here are some examples:

• UNICEF: UNICEF works to protect the rights of children during times of war and to raise awareness about the impact of war on children. UNICEF has identified six grave violations against children during times of war and works to monitor, prevent, and end these violations
• Amnesty International: Amnesty International works to hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes against children and to advocate for the protection of children during times of war
• International Criminal Court: The International Criminal Court has a policy on children that includes enumerations of crimes directed specifically against children, such as the war crimes of enlistment, conscription, and use of child soldiers
• United Nations: The United Nations works to protect the rights of children during times of war and to raise awareness about the impact of war on children. The UN has identified six grave violations against children during times of war and works to prevent and end these violations. The UN also works to strengthen prevention and early warning mechanisms to protect children during times of war

These are some organizations and initiatives that focus specifically on raising awareness about crimes against children during times of war. By supporting these organizations and initiatives, individuals can help promote the protection of children during times of war and support efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

• Lack of accountability: Despite efforts to protect children during times of war, many war crimes against children go unpunished, and perpetrators are not held accountable for their actions
• Limited access: Organizations may face limited access to conflict zones, making it difficult to monitor and prevent violations of children’s rights
• Insufficient resources: Organizations may face limited resources, including funding and personnel, which can limit their ability to carry out their work effectively
• Risk to personnel: Personnel working in conflict zones may face significant risks to their safety and security, including the risk of violence and abduction

Limited awareness: Many people may not be aware of the impact of war on children and the need to protect their rights, which can limit support for organizations working on crimes against children

These are some of the challenges faced by organizations working on crimes against children during times of war. Despite these challenges, it is important to continue efforts to protect children during times of war and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

• Physical injuries: Children who are victims of war crimes may suffer physical injuries, such as amputations, burns, and other injuries that can have long-term effects on their health and well-being
• Psychological trauma: Children who experience war crimes may suffer from psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. This trauma can have long-term effects on their mental health and well-being
• Displacement: Children who are displaced by war crimes may face long-term challenges, including limited access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs. Displacement can also have long-term effects on their mental health and well-being
• Loss of family and community: Children who lose family members and community members as a result of war crimes may face long-term challenges, including a lack of support and resources, and feelings of isolation and loneliness

Organizations working on crimes against children during times of war address these impacts in several ways. Here are some examples:

• Providing medical care: Organizations may provide medical care to children who have been injured as a result of war crimes, including physical injuries and trauma
• Providing mental health support: Organizations may provide mental health support to children who have experienced war crimes, including counseling and therapy to address trauma and other mental health challenges
• Providing education and other basic needs: Organizations may provide education and other basic needs to children who have been displaced by war crimes, including access to healthcare, food, and shelter
• Reunifying families: Organizations may work to reunify families who have been separated as a result of war crimes, providing support and resources to help families rebuild their lives
• Advocating for accountability: Organizations may advocate for accountability for war crimes against children, working to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions and to prevent future crimes

.These are some of the long-term impacts of war crimes on children and how organizations address these impacts. By addressing the long-term impacts of war crimes on children, organizations can help promote healing and recovery for children who have experienced trauma and other challenges as a result of war crimes.

• Create awareness: Social media can be used to create awareness of the problem of child abuse and sexual abuse, raising the priority of the issue in the minds of people
• Provide educational resources: Social media can provide access to educational resources about child abuse and sexual abuse, helping people to better understand the issue and how to prevent it
• Share stories: Social media can be used to share stories of survivors of child abuse and sexual abuse, helping to raise awareness of the impact of these crimes
• Advocate for change: Social media can be used to advocate for change, including changes in laws and policies to better protect children from abuse and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions
• Mobilize communities: Social media can be used to mobilize communities to take action to prevent child abuse and sexual abuse, including organizing events and campaigns to raise awareness and promote prevention
• Report abuse: Social media can be used to report instances of child abuse and sexual abuse, providing a platform for survivors to share their experiences and seek help