4 June is the International Day of Children Victims of Aggression. This important day was proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) on 19 August 1982 and serves as a powerful reminder that children around the world are sadly still victims of violence, conflict and abuse.

Although we often talk about children in conflict zones, it is important to remember that aggression against children unfortunately also happens in families, where they should be safest. Physical, psychological or sexual violence, neglect – these are all forms of aggression that have a devastating impact on children’s development and psyche.

The commemoration of this day helps us to maintain awareness that peace and security for children are not a given and that we must constantly strive for a world where no child has to fear aggression, wherever it comes from.