Protecting children

Protecting children from exploitation and abuse

Our popular image of childhood is of a time of innocence. However, the reality for many children is harshly different. Around the world, children are the victims and survivors of shocking and abhorrent forms of violence in their homes, schools, institutions and communities. Evidence suggests that the effects of violence upon children are serious and long-lasting.

Marginalised children face the greatest risk of violence. Disabled children, children living on the streets, children without parental care and children caught up in conflict are just a few examples.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to protection "from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse".

World Vision works to uphold this right through working with local communities and national and international governments to address both the causes and manifestations of violence against children.

We also recognise that all organisations that come into contact with children have a fundamental duty of care towards them. As such, we acknowledge our responsibilities to keep children safe in both our relief and development interventions, and are working with a number of other agencies to develop and promote good practice in child protection among international organisations that come into contact with children.

Click here for more details of World Vision UK’s child protection policy.