Office of the Special Representative on Violence against Children, UNICEF, World Vision International, ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, & Save the Children International. (2022, July 13). The violence-prevention dividend: Why preventing violence against children makes economic sense. https://www.unicef.org/media/123451/file/Violence%20prevention%20dividend.pdf
Fewer childhood injuries and traumas reduce long-term medical costs and improve wellbeing.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Schools
When children feel safe to learn they build the skills to boost lifetime earnings and grow prosperity.
schools
Data-backed Solution
Sierra Leone: A safe schools program cut sexual violence from 85% to 52%, unsafe feelings from 13% to 2%, and the belief among students that girls should keep rape a secret from 70% to 9%. The program established Teachers’ Codes of Conduct, safe spaces, and violence reporting mechanisms as well as capacity strengthening and community case management support.
Uganda: Raising Voices’ Good Schools Toolkit, which focuses on building positive relationships between students and teachers and among peers, decreased physical violence by 42%.
Kenya: A ‘screening and response strengthening model’ pilot shows school-based screening can link children experiencing sexual violence with life-changing services and prevent continued violence.
Data-backed Solution
Globally: Sexual violence lowers a child’s graduation chances by 13% and reduces test scores by 29 percentage points. 246 million children experience school violence yearly.
Globally: Boys who are bullied and girls who experience sexual violence have three-fold increased odds of school absenteeism.
Kenya: When sexual violence against girls decreased by over 50% (2010-2019) school enrollment and retention increased.
Workforce
Safe children grow into adults who are more able to work productively and grow the economy.
Workforce Participation
Data-backed Solution
Tanzania: Ujana Salama program provided life skills programming, mentorship, and health service access to cut sexual violence by 5% points among adolescent girls and decrease likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms twelve months after the intervention by 33%.
Data-backed Solution
South Africa: Physical violence against children reduced earnings by $2 billion and emotional violence reduced it by $750 million.
Online Safety
When technology is designed for safety, children thrive online and the whole economy grows.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Justice
Reductions in violence and crime ease financial strain on policing, emergency services, and legal systems.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Responsive Services
Prevention eases pressure on foster systems and protection programs, enabling stronger health and social services.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Gender Equality
Ending harmful practices like child marriage enables girls to learn, work, and boost a nation’s GDP.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Housing
Safer childhoods means a reduced burden on crisis housing and homelessness services.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Mental Health
Early trauma drives future mental health challenges. Supporting parents reduces violence, improving outcomes and cutting long-term costs.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Public Finances
When children thrive, economies grow, boosting public resources and reducing the need for costly crisis services.
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Where the $7 trillion comes from
Healthcare
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program offers multi-level parenting support to prevent child maltreatment and behavioral problems. A population-wide trial across 18 counties found a significant reduction in hospital and emergency-room visits for child-maltreatment injuries and fewer substantiated abuse cases in communities implementing Triple P. The findings show that equipping parents early measurably reduces violence-related health costs.
Proof
South Africa: Over 2.3 million disability-adjusted life years are lost to fatal violence against children. That’s more years lost than to diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Cambodia: Violence against children costs $168 million in health consequences (1.1% of GDP), while productivity loss costs $83 million (0.55% GDP).
Nigeria: Health consequences of violence against children total $8.9 billion (1.6% GDP) and lost earnings equal $6.1 billion (1% GDP).
Healthcare
Fewer childhood injuries and traumas reduce long-term medical costs and improve wellbeing.
schools
Data-backed Solution
Sierra Leone: A safe schools program cut sexual violence from 85% to 52%, unsafe feelings from 13% to 2%, and the belief among students that girls should keep rape a secret from 70% to 9%. The program established Teachers’ Codes of Conduct, safe spaces, and violence reporting mechanisms as well as capacity strengthening and community case management support.
Uganda: Raising Voices’ Good Schools Toolkit, which focuses on building positive relationships between students and teachers and among peers, decreased physical violence by 42%.
Kenya: A ‘screening and response strengthening model’ pilot shows school-based screening can link children experiencing sexual violence with life-changing services and prevent continued violence.
Proof
Globally: Sexual violence lowers a child’s graduation chances by 13% and reduces test scores by 29 percentage points. 246 million children experience school violence yearly.
Globally: Boys who are bullied and girls who experience sexual violence have three-fold increased odds of school absenteeism.
Kenya: When sexual violence against girls decreased by over 50% (2010-2019) school enrollment and retention increased.
Schools
When children feel safe to learn they build the skills to boost lifetime earnings and grow prosperity.
Workforce Participation
Data-backed Solution
Tanzania: Ujana Salama program provided life skills programming, mentorship, and health service access to cut sexual violence by 5% points among adolescent girls and decrease likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms twelve months after the intervention by 33%.
Proof
South Africa: Physical violence against children reduced earnings by $2 billion and emotional violence reduced it by $750 million.
Workforce
Safe children grow into adults who are more able to work productively and grow the economy.
online safety
Data-backed Solution
Globally: 42 countries have implemented the Model National Response to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Proof
United Kingdom: The estimated lifetime cost of online-only child sexual abuse totals £1.4 billion, including £7.4 million in police and reporting costs and £59.6 million when undetected offenders are included. The government bears roughly 20% of this burden, largely through policing and public-service expenditures.
Online Safety
When technology is designed for safety, children thrive online and the whole economy grows.
Justice
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Chicago Child-Parent Center program provides early education and family engagement for low-income children, emphasizing parent involvement and literacy development. The program reduces juvenile arrests by 33% and violent offenses by 42%, generating significant taxpayer savings through lower criminal-justice costs.
Proof
United States: It is estimated that each nonfatal case of child maltreatment results in $6,747 in criminal justice costs over a victim’s lifetime, contributing to an overall $124 billion national burden across healthcare, welfare, and justice systems.
Justice
Reductions in violence and crime ease financial strain on policing, emergency services, and legal systems.
Responsive Services
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Safe Babies Court Teams program provides early-intervention support for maltreated infants by coordinating judges, caseworkers, and mental-health providers to stabilize families quickly. The program reduces time in foster care by 17% (from 739 to 614 days).
Proof
United States: It is estimated that each nonfatal case of child maltreatment results in $7,728 in child welfare costs.
Responsive Services
Prevention eases pressure on foster systems and protection programs, enabling stronger health and social services.
Gender Equality
Data-backed Solution
Uganda: BRAC’s Empowerment and Livelihood of Adolescents (ELA) program strengthened life skills, educational, and economic opportunities among girls and young women ages 14-20. The program led to a 30% decrease in unwanted sex, 45% higher wage employment, 6x increased self-employment earnings, and 48% increased engagement in income-generating activities at a cost of $17.90 per girl.
PROOF
Globally: Child marriage reduces national productivity and human-capital accumulation, costing economies an estimated 1.7% of GDP through lost earnings, lower education outcomes, and increased public-service demands.
Gender Equality
Ending harmful practices like child marriage enables girls to learn, work, and boost a nation’s GDP.
HOUSING
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Keeping Families Together program combines supportive housing with case management and parenting services for families involved in child welfare. The pilot shows 61% of child-welfare cases closed and 26 of 29 families remaining stably housed, demonstrating that family-centered housing support prevents removals and reduces reliance on crisis housing.
PROOF
United States: The indirect cost of child abuse and neglect includes $1.6 billion annually in emergency and transitional housing, reflecting the heavy burden violence places on state housing and social-service systems
Housing
Safer childhoods means a reduced burden on crisis housing and homelessness services.
Mental Health
Data-backed Solution
Zambia: Lay counselors trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy reduced trauma symptoms by 82% proving that responding quickly mitigates harm and reduces future healthcare costs to society.
Proof
New Zealand: Children who experience sexual abuse have rates of mental-health disorders, including suicidality, that are 2.4 times higher than those of children not exposed to abuse.
Globally: Treatment of mental health disorders in children costs $8.9 billion which is more than asthma ($8.0 billion) or trauma-related conditions ($6.1 billion).
Mental Health
Early trauma drives future mental health challenges. Supporting parents reduces violence, improving outcomes and cutting long-term costs.
public finances
Data-backed Solution
United States: The Nurse-Family Partnership provides home visits by nurses to first-time mothers, strengthening parenting skills and child safety. The program reduces verified cases of child abuse and neglect by 48%, and long-term analyses show a $5.70 return for every $1 invested through reduced welfare, healthcare, and justice costs.
Proof
Globally: The annual global cost of violence against children is estimated at up to $7 trillion, dwarfing preventive budgets and highlighting the fiscal opportunity of upstream investments.
Globally: The scale of violence-related public costs greatly exceeds the investment required for prevention, making prevention a “value-for-money” sector for public finance portfolios.
Public Finances
When children thrive, economies grow, boosting public resources and reducing the need for costly crisis services.
What can I do?
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