According to police data, officers responded to over 40,000 such incidents early this year. Meanwhile, Save the Children Romania warns of a troubling correlation between domestic violence, child abuse, and low educational attainment.
A recent study by Save the Children reveals that 38% of parents admit to physically abusing their children, while 63% of children say they are beaten at home by their parents. Nearly 20% of parents still view corporal punishment as an acceptable form of discipline, reflecting a widespread lack of awareness about the long-term harm violence causes to child development.
“This week’s tragedies are not isolated. They are the outcome of a failing system—one that exposes, rather than protects, women and children,” said Diana Bălan, parenting expert and founder of ParentED Fest. “Real change starts with education. We need to help families build safe, trust-based relationships where violence is neither a method nor a justification. When violence becomes routine, it stops being an exception and becomes the norm. Tragedy then becomes an expected consequence of this sick ‘normality.’ We stand with civil society voices calling for a serious rethink of public policies concerning the safety of women and children. We cannot wait for the next tragedy.”
Prevention begins with education
Parental education means more than just “setting gentle but firm limits.” It means raising children who can recognize disrespect, identify abuse, and feel confident enough to speak up. It also means having parents who are emotionally available and trustworthy models in their children’s lives.
UNICEF Romania reports that around 400,000 children are currently outside the educational system. Two in ten children fail to complete the eight grades of compulsory schooling, and only six in ten attend high school. This lack of access to education fuels environments where violence is more likely to occur. Particularly in rural or marginalized communities, low education levels are often linked with harmful disciplinary methods that damage both family relationships and children’s emotional well-being.
“Secure relationships between parents and children are essential for healthy development. Understanding children’s emotions and needs fosters resilience, trust, and emotional balance. A child cannot report danger if they fear the adults meant to protect them. Safety begins with emotional security—not just physical protection, but also through parental education, emotional learning in schools, and critical thinking. These are tools that help a child say, ‘What’s happening to me isn’t right,’” said Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a developmental psychologist and guest speaker at this fall’s ParentED Fest.
A UK-based study shows that parents’ education levels have a direct impact on their children’s cognitive development, including literacy and numeracy skills. Early parental involvement in education leads to higher graduation rates, better academic performance, and stronger social development.