UNICEF uses the term ‘child protection’ to refer to preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse against children, including trafficking, child labour and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting and child marriage. Violations of children’s rights to protection take place in every country and are massive, under-recognized and under-reported barriers to child development. Children subjected to violence are at risk of death, poor physical and mental health, educational problems, homelessness and – later in life - poor parenting skills and employment prospects. UNICEF contributes to solutions with research for policy makers, institutions and others responsible to to build a strong protective system for children.