Better Protection for Children

The figures are alarming. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ten per cent of all boys and twenty per cent of all girls are the victims of violence or abuse, throughout the world. Children with disabilities are twice as frequently affected as those without disabilities. CBM has therefore significantly expanded its activities to protect children and set a good example.

CBM-supported projects have always made efforts to recognise and stop child abuse at the earliest possible stage. But in view of the figures mentioned above, a defined strategy to protect children is now essential.

CBM has taken a proactive approach to this urgent need with a practical concept that is to be implemented over two years. The aim is to protect children and adults with disability against sexual exploitation, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, and neglect.

As a first step, a policy paper was developed that states CBM's principles in child protection. This gave rise to a code of conduct that will be binding for CBM staff in future. CBM’s partner organizations are invited to implement it within their work.

The guidelines for child protection were developed for practical work. Among other elements, they contain an overview of child abuse issues, instructions on implementing the principles and give guidance on how to behave in the event of suspected abuse. CBM will hold workshops conducted by professional trainers to instruct its partner organisations in child protection.

The first visit to a project in the Philippines by CBM's child protection officer in June 2005 showed how important child protection is to the project staff. The officer's presentation on this topic met with great interest. The project co-workers were particularly interested in preventing child abuse and learning how to handle concrete cases.
The situation at other projects is similar. The more openly and transparently we deal with this sensitive issue, the better we will be able to protect children.