Child abuse costs countries in East Asia, Pacific more than 200 bln USD yearly: UNICEF

The UN Children's Fund ( UNICEF) said on Tuesday that child abuse and violence are costing countries in East Asia and the Pacific more than 200 billion U.S. dollars per year, which is equivalent to two percent of the region 's Gross Domestic Product.

This was contained in a new research commissioned by the UNICEF and "is the first time the cost of child maltreatment in the region has been estimated," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

UNICEF's Regional Director Daniel Toole said that "we all know that violence against children must stop because it is morally wrong," adding that the new research shows that inaction about violence results in serious economic costs to countries and communities.

"The social and economic impact of child maltreatment includes an added burden on already stretched health care systems, disability and death, and increased levels of violence and criminality," Dujarric said. "It is difficult for children who experience violence and abuse to grow up to be productive members of society, and their countries also risk losing the potential benefits to their communities these children might otherwise provide."

"The research follows previous studies on the prevalence of child maltreatment," the spokesman said. "It looks at the different types of maltreatment, and the cost to economies of each. "

According to the study, the costs associated with emotional abuse are 65.9 billion U.S. dollars, those associated with physical abuse are 39.6 billion dollars, sexual abuse costs about 39.9 billion dollars.

All governments in the region have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which commits them to protect children from violence, abuse and maltreatment. More needs to be done to meet these commitments, including greater investment in social services, he said. Endite