Expert calls for children to be aware of human rights
ACHILDREN’S rights expert from Edge Hill University has submitted evidence to the Government’s education committee calling for children to be educated about their human rights to help them seek support if they experience abusive situations.
Sadly, one effect of lockdown has been a spike in domestic violence and an increase in the number of children at home witnessing or being on the receiving end of such violence.
To address the implications of children not attending school, a Parliamentary Education Committee has set up an inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on education and children’s services and is gathering evidence from a range of experts.
Professor of Children’s Rights Carol Robinson has recommended to the Government that better education is needed to make sure children know their rights and how to get help if they find themselves feeling unsafe or suffering abuse.
Read her evidence in full on https://committees.parliament. uk/writtenevidence/5735/pdf/
Professor Robinson said: “There are an estimated 829,000 children in England who are currently living with risk but are not known to services and there has been an increase in the number of domestic abuse cases since lockdown was imposed.
“As children and young people return to school, I think it is a great opportunity to educate them about their rights so that they are equipped with the skills and confidence to voice concerns about instances where their rights have not been respected.
“I’m really glad that I’ve been able to make my recommendations to the Government, I hope they listen and take action to give children the tools they need to seek support if they experience abusive situations or feel unsafe.”
The inquiry will look at how the outbreak of Covid-19 is affecting all aspects of the education sector and children’s social care system and will scrutinise how the Department for Education has dealt with the pandemic.
Evidence is still being gathered and submissions can be made up until July 21.
Prof Robinson has also written an article about children’s rights for The Conversation, visit https:// theconversation.com/why-children-need-to-be-taught-moreabout-their-human-rights-139431 to read it.
Edge Hill University runs a number of courses in education and teacher training.
Visit the website www.edgehill. ac.uk/education for more information on all the education courses available at Edge Hill.
For any teachers looking for study resources, or those still home schooling, why not check out Edge Hill’s Links to Learning hub?
Whether you need resources to support your lesson plan or something fun to keep your children entertained at home, there’s plenty of support available at ehu.ac.uk/ linkstolearning