Out of the Shadows: Shining a light on the response to child sexual abuse and exploitation

Sexual violence and exploitation afflict millions of children everywhere, regardless of a country’s economic status or quality of life. Yet a culture of silence and shame has meant too little action.

Thanks to courageous survivors who are speaking out, and a dedicated corps of child advocates, the issue is becoming a global priority.

The international consensus around the UN Sustainable Development Goals – which target ending sexual violence against children by 2030 – provides a strong impetus for countries to make the issue part of their national development plan.

World Vision currently implements its global campaign to end violence against children dubbed as “It Takes a World”. In its pursuit to free children from all forms of violence, it recently won the “Out of Shadows Advocacy Fund” worth US$100,000 from Ignite Philanthropy last year.

Out of the Shadows: Shining a light on the response to child sexual abuse and exploitation is an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) research programme supported by the World Childhood Foundation and the Oak Foundation with additional support from the Carlson Family Foundation. The 60-country benchmarking index examines how countries are responding to the threat of sexual violence against children. It explores the environment in which the issue occurs and is addressed; the degree to which a country’s legal framework provide protections for children from sexual violence; whether government commitment and capacity is being deployed to equip institutions and personnel to respond appropriately; and the engagement of industry, civil society and media in efforts to tackle the problem. The accompanying white paper focuses on the aspects of sexual violence against children that are critical to developing a better understanding of the issue, highlighting where progress is needed and identifying factors that can potentially drive change.

World Vision aims to mobilise children and adults, citizens and policy makers, in five cities and municipalities in the Philippines, to break the silence around CSA/CSE, realize that this problem can be solved, and identify concrete solutions that can be put in place immediately, at individual, community and/or policy level.

For further information, please contact:
Marc Joseph Alejo
Advocacy and External Relations Manager, World Vision Philippines
[email protected]