SUMMER FACT-FINDING SERIES:

10 Facts About Child Protection

There’s nothing more beautiful than the way a child believes that the biggest dreams, the most outlandish endeavours and the truest intentions are all possible! But childhood can be a fragile thing, and too many children are robbed of their innocence and basic freedom.

Read on for 10 Facts About Child Protection and how sponsorship plays an important role in laying a foundation of safety and well-being for so many children.

Fact #1: Children have globally accepted rights

Every person has the right to be a child. The most extensively adopted human rights agreement is dedicated to safeguarding children’s rights, ensuring they have access to essential elements for a healthy childhood, encompassing education, health, safety, and even play.

To ensure life in all its fullness for every child, no matter where they are born, World Vision upholds these rights for children and their families. Whether it’s children’s rights training or establishing child protection networks of teachers, faith leaders and community groups, child protection is at the core of our work in every community where children are sponsored.

Fact #2: Poverty is a key driver of abuse and neglect of children

Child abuse, child labour, child marriage and other damaging practices run high in low-income countries. The data paints a clear picture: where children live in poverty, there is a high risk of abuse and neglect, often intensified by parents who need to do whatever they can to survive day-to-day.

This is where child sponsorship is crucial. It gives children and parents the opportunity to participate in programmes and training that provide spiritual nurturing and encouragement, child protection and gentle parenting. Communities are taught about children's rights, motivating families to keep children safe.

Fact #3: 160 million children today are victims of child labour and slavery

Around the world, 1 in 10 children are forced to perform dangerous work that stops them from learning and growing. Almost half of all kids involved in child labour are between 5-11 years old. Conditions are usually unsafe with long hours and the risk of abuse is high. At its worst, children are separated from their families and forced into unimaginable and illegal activities.

Child sponsors fight on multiple fronts to protect children from child labour by educating children, parents and communities about children’s rights. Families are supported to build businesses or income streams and together, we advocate for stronger government-led action and legal protection.

Fact #4: 1 in 5 girls worldwide is married before age 18

In the world’s least developed countries, 40% of girls marry before the age of 18, with 10% marrying before they turn 15. This denies girls a childhood and leads to a lifetime of inequality, economic disadvantage, and serious health issues. Despite existing laws against child marriage in almost every country, cultural and economic factors often override societal expectations.

Child sponsorship empowers local staff to combat child marriage by educating communities about girls' rights and the harms of such practices. Parents are taught how to find alternative sources of income, support girls' education, strengthen community networks, advocate for social change, and involve legal personnel when necessary.

Fact #5: A culture of harm is accepted in some cultures, regardless of the law

In some countries, social norms, beliefs and traditions that cause real harm to children are deeply engrained in culture. For example, destructive practices like female genital mutilation are still practiced in at least 30 countries around the world because of strong social and cultural pressure, despite a high risk of infections, psychological trauma and even death.

But positive change is also happening because culture is never static and sponsorship is a powerful catalyst in this area. Through sponsorship, communities are exposed to new perspectives, educated on the law and have support to speak out for change.

Fact #6: Conflict and natural disasters increase the risk of violence toward children

Emergency situations can leave children highly vulnerable to harm. Children may be separated from their families out of necessity and find themselves isolated and struggling to meet basic needs. Adults in these situations may also be in a state of stress, which increases the risk of abuse and negative coping methods. Normal safeguards including health, education and protection services may not be available.

Sponsors are the reason our local staff are empowered to respond to a natural disaster or crisis immediately. Communities obtain support in the toughest times to protect children, restore services and rebuild lives after crisis.

Fact #7: Children as young as 6 years old are recruited as soldiers

Around the world, 1 in 5 children are currently living in areas affected by armed conflict, with numbers rising. Children as young as 6 may be forced to fight on the frontlines or take on risky and dangerous roles putting them at risk of being killed or injured. Survivors carry physical and mental scars for life.

World Vision is at work in many of these fragile conflict areas to add some normalcy to children’s lives through Child-Friendly Spaces. These spaces are an oasis with opportunities for support and empowerment through games, activities or psychosocial support.

Fact #8: Trusted adults, including parents, can be abusers

Data shows it is often those closest to a child responsible for their abuse. Cultural beliefs, emotional instability, poverty, conflict or lack of education may all play a role in creating an abusive environment for children. Parents are often the ones to sell their children for marriage. In child labour cases, 3 out of 4 working children are working for their own families.

The support of child sponsors encourages local staff, families, faith leaders, and communities to improve children’s well-being together. Our positive parenting sessions have been life-changing for families, ending abuse, violence, neglect, or the prospect of child marriage in their homes.

Fact #9: COVID stalled progress in child protection

Amidst the pandemic in recent years, children were placed in vulnerable situations out of necessity, delaying progress to end severe violations against their rights. Wide-reaching consequences are still being felt by the most vulnerable. With the biggest setback in decades, more families are facing poverty, hunger and poor health.

Underlying factors that threaten children’s safety and well-being are on the rise. This is why the role that child sponsors play in empowering local staff to help protect children in specific and effective ways has never been so important.

Fact #10: Removing a child from harm is just the beginning

It takes time and support for children who have been through traumatic experiences to recover. It takes time to shift social norms or cultural pressures.

But child sponsors are ensuring that both can happen. They partner with communities to reduce the incidence of those events in the long term so that children who have experienced trauma are enabled to attain the support they need for recovery. Communities are supported to create a safe, supportive environment for children to thrive.

Thank you for helping to create a better, safer future free from violence and abuse for children and communities.

Your support, along with 2.2 million sponsors around the world, ensures this is happening by giving them healthier, happier, safer childhoods. And that is a building block for a better future for us all.

While you’re waiting for our next issue, please visit our Sponsor Support Page. Here, you’ll learn more about World Vision Child Sponsorship, how to send your sponsored child a special gift, and get any questions you have answered.