In 2019, in partnership with The Equality Institute and the Oak Foundation, we undertook a systematic review of proven solutions and best practices to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children and youth.

What Works to Prevent Sexual Violence Against Children demonstrates that one of the critical, cost-effective, and evidence-based strategies that needs to be implemented is safeguarding. Safeguarding is the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they grow up with safe and effective care that enables them to have optimum life chances to enter adulthood successfully. Safeguarding within child and youth-serving organizations can include various policies, procedures, and practices that organizations can implement to both prevent child sexual abuse from happening and to ensure a swift response when abuse is reported or identified.

Safeguarding is critical because children who spend time with any youth-serving organization are vulnerable to sexual violence. Whether it’s a school sports team, an international NGO, or a religious group, any organization working with and for children needs to be equipped to protect children from all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse. One such organization that Together for Girls is proud to partner with is the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, which requires that each of their members have a robust child safeguarding policy in place to guide their work. They also work with their grantees and partners to assess their current safeguarding practices and build on areas of weakness. These practices are crucial in creating and promoting child-safe organizations.

Dr. Daniela Ligiero, Together for Girls Executive Director and CEO, recently spoke at the Keeping Children Safe Summit along with global child safeguarding practitioners, academics, and experts, on the importance of child safeguarding and what works to end sexual violence against children.