8
INTRODUCTION
It is worth stressing that one can talk to children about safety , consent and boundaries without mentioning sexual abuse specifically . An important message to communicate is that a child is in charge of its own body . The videos ‘ Boss of My Own Body ’ and ‘ Consent for Kids ’ were made to help children understand body autonomy and consent . It discusses what others are allowed and not allowed to do with our bodies . Affirming that children have authority over their bodies teaches them about boundaries , enabling them to recognise inappropriate behaviour . Abusers may encourage the child not to tell anyone about their abuse or try to convince the child that what they do is normal . But the child who understands bodily autonomy will know that such claims are false . Because the child understands what is appropriate and what is not , it may try to stop unwanted actions or tell another adult about them . Knowledge removes shame , and because shame inhibits us from speaking , people – including children – can act to prevent future abuse when shame is removed .
1.6 The human rights-based approach
Aim . To increase understanding of human rights principles , particularly children ’ s human rights , and the consequences of violating them .
Human rights apply to everyone , regardless of gender , race , age , nationality , faith , or other factors . International human rights declarations and conventions affirm that every person is entitled to specific rights and to be treated with dignity and respect . The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the rights it sets out are the foundation of freedom , justice and peace . The Convention on the Rights of the Child ( 1989 ) sets out the rights of all children and affirms that all decisions and all conduct with respect to children should be governed by the child ’ s best interest .
This manual begins from the position that sexual violence against children is a severe violation of human rights . One of its purposes is therefore to make clear how human rights principles protect and address the rights of child survivors of sexual violence and abuse , and the consequences of violating rights both for child survivors and society as a whole .
International legal rights are negotiated by states and set out in international agreements ( conventions , treaties , protocols ). When a state signs and ratifies a human rights agreement , it assumes legally binding obligations with respect to the rights it affirms . In addition , states have created a number of mechanisms and systems that monitor and investigate states ’ performance of their human rights obligations , interpret the meaning of conventions , and receive appeals on cases .
Numerous rights are relevant to sexual violence against children , most obviously the right to life and bodily integrity , the prohibition of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment , the prohibition of slavery and forced labour , and the convention on the rights of the child . These principles are deeply entrenched in international law . Sexual violence threatens life and personal integrity and can cause serious harm to individuals who are abused . States are required to follow up allegations or information about violations of fundamental rights , in particular the right not to be tortured or subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment . This means that States must investigate allegations and provide protection and remedy if violations have taken place .