UNICEF warns of rising violence against children in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- World Children’s Day highlights the Dominican Republic’s urgent challenge of addressing violence against minors, a problem underscored by a series of tragic cases reported throughout 2025. Despite progress in areas such as breastfeeding, maternal care, and reducing child marriage, UNICEF warns that setbacks in violent discipline and child protection demand immediate government action.

According to recent UNICEF data, violent discipline against children aged 1 to 14 increased from 62.9% to 63.5%, reflecting worsening conditions inside homes. This year has also seen multiple high-profile cases of extreme violence, including kidnappings, abuse, and homicides involving children as young as one year old across provinces such as Santo Domingo, La Romana, and Dajabón.

UNICEF stresses that these incidents represent not isolated events, but symptoms of systemic failures in prevention, protection, and family support.