Globally, it is estimated that up to 1 billion children aged 2-17 years are subject to physical, sexual or emotional violence each year. For many of them, violence leads to severe, lifelong health and mental health consequences. Exposure to violence at an early age can impair brain development and propel victims to engage in risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and unsafe sexual practices. Children who experience violence are also more likely to attempt suicide and endure a range of illnesses later in life, including anxiety, depression, heart and lung disease and HIV. At a societal level, violence places a massive burden on national economies, costing countries billions of US dollars each year in health care, law enforcement and lost productivity. We therefore must do all we can to end violence against children. Join our ongoing campaign on: ‘”NO TO ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN”.