This chapter introduces the key themes of Against Youth Violence, laying out the three senses in which the authors are against youth violence: against the perpetration of violence between young people – advocating for a reduction in this violence; against the misleading connotations of the label ‘youth violence’ – advocating for more fruitful framings of the issue; and against the commodification of ‘youth violence’ – advocating for less exploitation of young people’s suffering. As well as outlining the contents and structure of Against Youth Violence, the introductory chapter articulates the need to shift away from narrow and distorting portrayals of and perspectives on violence between young people. The chapter critiques ideas of ‘youth violence’ which are stigmatizing, patronizing and counterproductive, and suggests ways of looking at the issue which are more constructive, and which are explained at greater length through the course of Against Youth Violence.
This article examines the governance transition in Indonesia’s Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) policy. It traces the governance perspective used in the National Action Plan for the Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Leading to Terrorism (RAN-PE), which has shifted from a policy-network perspective toward a whole-of-government approach. Using qualitative methods, the study finds that the whole-of-government approach does not yet fully recognize digital platforms as actors beyond the traditional P/CVE policy network. Although coordination among state institutions has developed in addressing communications and cyber issues, the government has not effectively regulated the infrastructural power of digital platforms. This limitation is particularly visible in cases of child radicalization. The study therefore recommends strengthening P/CVE efforts through platform governance as a complement to the whole-of-government framework in responding to radicalization in digital spaces.
This article investigates the effects of firstborn sex on intimate partner violence (IPV) in India, taking into account heterogeneity across state sex ratios and maternal education. In states with masculine sex ratios of first births, firstborn daughters are found to elevate the risk and severity of IPV. The effects of firstborn daughters on sexual IPV are particularly pronounced among uneducated women in these states. These findings suggest that amid son preference at low birth orders, the sex of firstborn children can contribute to violence against mothers, providing new insights into the household reproduction of gender discrimination and violence.
Abstract Children who are in alternative care facilities experience unacceptable rates of violence prior to entering care, during care, and potentially after they leave care. Prior to a transition into care, children are often exposed to violence in the home through abuse or neglect, or in their community or broader socioecological context. This chapter uses a polyvictimization framework to explore how violence impacts children in various types of alternative care from larger scale institutions such as orphanages to family-based care models like foster care. Children face increased risks of violence across this continuum and continue to be vulnerable after they “age out” of the alternative care available for them. Institutional care heightens the risk of trafficking both into and out of orphanages. Policy implications are discussed, including strengthening protective policies, increased research attention to the context and scope of violence against children, and strengthening training and resourcing for caregivers.
Background: Violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC) are pervasive global health and human rights issues with severe health consequences. Burden estimates alone cannot inform policy without cost data, and existing analyses remain limited. This study addresses this gap by estimating the global cost of the health burden attributable to VAW and VAC. <div> <br> </div> <div> Methods: We used a welfare-based valuation approach to calculate the cost of the attributable health burden of intimate partner and non-partner (sexual and physical) VAW, and physical and sexual VAC. We analysed prevalence, relative risk, and burden estimates from the WHO, UNICEF, and Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study to estimate the attributable health burden of VAW and VAC for each country. Using value of statistical life estimates, we calculated the cost associated with each form of violence. Scenario analyses examined variations in relative risks, valuation approach, and country inclusion criteria. Results are presented globally, by 2023 World Bank income group, and by country. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Findings: The monetary value of the health burden of VAW and VAC is US $1·50 trillion (1·4% of global GDP) and US $1·98 trillion (3·97% of global GDP) respectively. Mental health conditions represent the largest contributor to the economic burden across income groups. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Interpretation: The cost of the health burden of VAW and VAC is staggering. Integrated violence prevention strategies and stronger investments in health systems are needed to support survivors, especially to address mental health burden. </div>
Sakshi Jain, Beverley M. Essue, Jack Cagney et al.
The escalating involvement of Indonesian children in violent extremism through digital platforms, encrypted messaging services, and online gaming ecosystems demands an integrated, cross-sectoral, and child-sensitive security governance approach. Mainstream counter-terrorism scholarship, largely shaped by Global North liberal paradigms, often misinterprets non-state actors' engagement as evidence of state fragility or institutional deficiency. Furthermore, existing research largely overlooks platform-level technical architectures and key psychosocial drivers, such as chronic peer victimization and extreme isolation. Addressing this critical theoretical and empirical gap, this study reconceptualizes hybrid security governance from a distinct Global South vantage point by dissecting the complex interplay among peer bullying, excessive screen time, algorithmic recommendation systems, and digital radicalization trajectories. Employing a qualitative post-positivist methodology, the investigation incorporates rigorous policy reviews, cyber-forensic evaluations, and structured focus group discussions conducted across three strategic regions: Jakarta, West Java, and Central Java. Key participants comprised relevant state apparatuses (Densus 88 AT, BNPT, BSSN, Komdigi, KPAI, and KemenPPPA) alongside vital non-state actors, including Islamic mass organizations, traditional boarding schools (pesantren), ethical hacker collectives, and local community leaders. The findings delineate a multi-stage radicalization pipeline wherein psychological trauma stemming from peer bullying induces compensatory screen dependency. Recommendation algorithms, gamified cyber-grooming tactics, and covert recruitment within private encrypted communication channels then exploit this vulnerability. In response, Indonesia demonstrates an indigenous Global South Hybrid Security Governance model with four core pillars: mobilizing relational authority, synchronizing formal-informal cyber coordination, family-centric psychosocial rehabilitation, and community-driven digital literacy initiatives rooted in religious moderation. Theoretically, this research contributes to contemporary cyber-criminology and critical security studies by challenging conventional, state-centric orthodoxies. Practically, the empirical insights offer actionable frameworks for policymakers aiming to formulate youth-oriented prevention strategies that safeguard vulnerable minors while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Machya Astuti Dewi, Herlina Jayadianti, Melaty Anggraini et al.
In the Rakhine State of Myanmar are the Rohingyas. A group of people who have been systemically discriminated against for centuries. The systemic discrimination binds them in conformity to stringent rules and conditions while exposing them to seemingly perpetual servitude. Sadly, everything about their survival, livelihood, and well-being are temporary, be it religious, social, political, economic, security or health. Based on the documentary and literature review, the article argues that the understanding of soft violence can shape policies that aim to safeguard the life of Rohingya children since this has received little attention. Of course, limited studies have employed soft violence to explain systemic violence against Rohingya children. Soft violence suggests clandestinely instituting non-physical barriers to children's psychological, ecological, physical, political, and economic development and safety. The paper recommends Rohingya identity reconstruction through community sensitisation to see Rohingya children as humans, not objects of humiliation and discrimination. Further, reconciliation and mediation teams to lower the curtain of tension and hatred between majority Buddhists and the minority Muslims. Finally, the constitutional redefinition of Rohingyas to merit entitlement and rights in Myanmar is needed.
Motor imagery (MI), the mental simulation of movement without execution, provides a behavioural tool to evaluate sensorimotor representations. However, its characterisation in young children remains debated. This study investigated age-related differences in MI across early primary school years using a multi-task battery. One hundred and eighteen children aged 5–8 years (61 females), spanning the final year of kindergarten (GSM), first grade (CP), second grade (CE1), and third grade (CE2), completed executed and imagined trials of five functional tasks (standing up, typical gait, precision gait, drawing, and cube handling). Psychometric properties of the battery were evaluated. To ensure feasibility, engagement with imagery tasks was verified by comparing executed-imagined consistency in complexity-duration structure (i.e., complex tasks take longer both when executed and when imagined). Age-related differences were evaluated in terms of execution–imagery isochrony and variability across classes. Internal consistency was excellent (α = .91–.98) and test–retest reliability ranged from moderate to excellent (ICC = .68–.92). Engagement increased by age but already exceeded 70 % in the youngest group. Isochrony improved with age for simpler, highly practised tasks (typical gait, standing up), whereas more complex tasks (precision gait, cube handling) showed stable performance across classes. Variability decreased with age, and older children’s performance became increasingly influenced by task complexity demands. Findings demonstrate that mental chronometry can reliably capture MI abilities in children as young as five, revealing both developmental gains and task-specific constraints. These results highlight the feasibility of MI assessment in early childhood, warranting the need for longitudinal neuroimaging approaches to clarify mechanistic insights.
Giorgio Cannavacciuolo, Marie-Bertille Dehouck, Véronique Bury et al.
In 2024, the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (VAC) brought together 103 governments to make formal commitments to prevent and respond to VAC. This review analyses the pledges announced at the time of the conference, while acknowledging that some governments may have subsequently refined or expanded their commitments, as noted in the limitations. With a focus on how alternative care, family strengthening and family-based care feature within broader VAC strategies. Recognising that violence is both a driver for entry into care and a significant factor within care systems, the review explores trends, gaps and emerging priorities across national contexts. It identifies where countries have made explicit commitments to care reform, highlights financial and accountability mechanisms, and considers the implications for children in alternative care. The findings underscore the need to integrate care reform as a central pillar in efforts to end VAC globally.
Justin Rogers, Aisling Ledwith, Florence Martin et al.
Background Accurate recognition of movement disorders (MDs) phenomenology remains a demanding task in pediatric practice, compounded by mixed and evolving motor presentations, inter-examiner expertise variability, and the scarcity of structured digital tools validated across age groups. A child with combined MDs may receive different phenomenological diagnoses from different examiners, with direct consequences for etiological guidance, treatment planning, neuromodulation candidacy, and longitudinal monitoring. Video-based examination is already central to expert practice, but its systematic analysis remains frequently inaccessible because of limited human resources. Objective To develop and externally test a video-based framework for simultaneous detection of hyperkinetic MDs phenomenologies: dystonia, tremor, myoclonus, chorea, athetosis, ballismus, stereotypies, and tics using routine clinical recordings, with external, cross-cohort transfer from adult to pediatric populations. Methods In this proof-of-concept study, the framework combines markerless pose estimation, kinematic descriptors, and a pretrained foundation model. A shared predictive backbone was developed on 21 adults with confirmed hyperkinetic MDs and 4 healthy controls. External validation was performed on an independent cohort: a real-world pediatric sample ( n = 12, monogenic combined MDs). For the external dataset, the backbone was deployed without retraining; lightweight calibration adjusted only the final subject-level decision step using a clinician-labeled small representative subset of patients. Results After local calibration of the decision layer on the clinician-selected subset, performance improved on the held-out pediatric patients ( n = 7): Hamming accuracy rose from 0.804 to 0.839 and the Jaccard index from 0.548 to 0.633 (true positives 8 to 13, false negatives 9 to 4, false positives 2 to 5, across 56 patient-phenomenology decisions). Given the small held-out sample, these estimates should be regarded as exploratory. This calibrated performance was preserved, and the Jaccard index further improved, when the evaluation was restricted to the phenomenologies with more definite clinician agreement (Hamming accuracy 0.9, Jaccard index 0.786), indicating that the gains did not rest on the least-reliable labels. Conclusion A two-stage strategy, a reusable predictive backbone combined with lightweight, site-specific adaptation, may offer a practical and scalable route to routine-video-based digital phenotyping of MDs across age groups. A shared backbone trained on standardized adult recordings transferred phenotyping signal to an independent, real-world pediatric cohort without retraining. Local calibration of the decision layer improved performance in this small exploratory cohort, while clinical-grade reliability across the full phenotypic spectrum remains to be confirmed in larger cohorts.
