The 13th CRC Report (2023) is an in-depth analysis of children’s and adolescents' rights in Italy, providing a detailed picture of the challenges, critical issues, and progress in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The report,  prepared by the Working Group for the Convention on the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CRC Group), a network of more than 100 Italian associations concerned with the protection of the rights of children and adolescents and curated by Save the Children Italy, highlights the need for more effective and coordinated policies to address structural problems such as child poverty, school dropout, youth mental health and violence against children.

Poverty and social exclusion

One of the most alarming aspects highlighted by the report is the increasing level of poverty among minors. According to the data, about 1.2 million children and adolescents in Italy live in absolute poverty, a figure that is increasing compared to previous years. Poverty is not only manifested in the lack of material goods, but has a devastating impact on these children’s educational, health and social opportunities. The report highlights that existing financial support measures, including the Universal Single Allowance, are not sufficient to ensure adequate protection for the most vulnerable children.

Furthermore, child poverty often results in social exclusion, with greater difficulty in accessing basic services such as education and health. Lack of structural investment in childcare and inclusion policies further aggravates the situation, leaving many families without adequate support.

Another factor contributing to child poverty is the precarious employment of parents. Many single-parent families or families with unstable employment contracts have difficulties in ensuring a decent standard of living for their children. This also affects access to extracurricular activities, sport and culture, contributing to an ever-widening social gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from more affluent families.

The report recommends targeted interventions, including increasing funding for child welfare, strengthening support services for families in difficulty and improving housing policies to ensure decent living conditions for all children.

Education and school drop-out

The Italian education system continues to be marked by high levels of school drop-out, with a significant percentage of students dropping out early. The report shows that about 10% of young people in Italy leave school before completing secondary education, which is higher than the European average. This phenomenon is particularly acute in the southern regions, where economic and social inequalities are reflected in lower school attendance.

Another significant problem is access to education for children with disabilities and for foreign minors. Despite regulatory progress, many schools lack the resources needed to ensure inclusive and quality education. Support teachers are often insufficient and the lack of specific programmes for the integration of foreign students makes their educational path difficult.

The lack of innovative teaching tools and inclusive learning methodologies further limits the chances of academic success for many students. The report suggests more individualised educational strategies, the introduction of advanced educational technologies and greater involvement of families in children’s education.

In addition, the role of school as a place for social growth is fundamental. The lack of recreational spaces and extracurricular initiatives reduces opportunities for children to socialise, increasing the risk of isolation and discomfort. Improving education services, teacher training and the number of educational assistants could help to reduce early school leaving.

Health and psychological well-being

The report highlights a growing mental health emergency among adolescents. The increase in eating disorders, anxiety and depression among young people is worrying, with an increasing number of requests for help to child neuropsychiatry services. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this situation, contributing to social isolation and dependence on digital devices.

One critical aspect is the lack of psychological support services in schools and territorial contexts. The report highlights the need to strengthen resources dedicated to mental health by promoting access to psychological counselling services for students and improving the training of school staff on these issues.

In addition to mental health, the report highlights problems related to nutrition and physical activity. An increasing number of children in Italy suffer from obesity or malnutrition, often due to poor eating habits and the lack of safe spaces for sports. Investment in food education programmes and accessible sports facilities could help improve children’s overall health.

Social media and video game addiction is another major concern. The report highlights how excessive use of technology can negatively affect children’s cognitive and relational development. Digital literacy programmes, education for digital citizenship and increased monitoring by institutions are suggested strategies to mitigate these risks.

Violence and protection of minors

Although there is no systematic data collection in Italy, child abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, also affects children in Italy. These abuses have devastating effects on children’s social, psychological and biological development, increasing the risk of developing mental and behavioural disorders. Abuse occurs mainly in the home: often, the trauma suffered by parents can be passed on to their children, negatively affecting their development.

There are also other worrying phenomena such as cyberbullying, sextortion and an increase in cases of child pornography online, with a lowering of the age of the victims. The number of children is also increasing: from 2010 to date in Italy there have been 268 children, an average of almost one every two weeks, of which 149 are under-19 years old (106 between 0 and 5 years, or 39.7%, 43 between 6 and 11 years, or 16.2%)20. Of the 268 victims, 151 are male (56.8%), 117 female (43.7%). LGBTQIA+ children are often victims of family abuse, and lack adequate legislative protection.

In addition, the CRC report aims to highlight how corporal punishment, in line with the recommendations of the UN Committee, is conducted that deeply undermine the physical and emotional safety of the minor and intends to draw attention to the Italian reality: It is estimated that about 65% of minors between the ages of two and fourteen have been subjected to corporal punishment by their parents or other carers. Despite the phenomenon of abuse of means of correction is punished by art. 571 of the Penal Code, there is a strong need for new adequate answers to the request for protection, as even today Italy is far from curbing the phenomenon, being allowed the use of force for educational purposes.

The number of femicides in Italy remains drastically high, which this year has caused a strong media impact on domestic and gender-based violence. Children are also victims: in 2023 more than 5000 children living together were involved in incidents of alleged domestic and/or gender-based violence, and in 2022 out of 100 women victims of sexual violence, 29 were minors. Again, feminicides that occur often leave minors without both parents, orphans of domestic crimes.

Conclusion

The 13th CRC Report (2023) offers us a clear and worrying picture of the situation of children’s and adolescents' rights in Italy. Despite some regulatory and supportive policy progress, there are still many unresolved issues that have a profound impact on the lives of minors. Poverty, educational inequalities, mental health problems and domestic violence continue to be urgent challenges that require structured and multidisciplinary intervention.

To address these issues, a change of approach in public policies is essential, with greater investment in child welfare, inclusive education and the protection of the physical and mental health of younger people. Concrete efforts are needed to bridge territorial gaps, ensure equal access to opportunities and create a safe and stimulating environments for all children.

Italy must also strengthen its action to combat gender-based violence, domestic violence and the protection of LGBTQIA+ children, who are still subject to discrimination and abuse. Stronger legislation is needed to end the use of violence as an educational tool and to ensure that children who are victims of abuse have access to an effective support network.

Finally, education for respect, equality and active citizenship must become a priority at all levels of society, from schools to families and institutions. Only through a systemic approach, involving all the actors of the educational community, will it be possible to guarantee a more equitable and dignified future for the new generations.