Amplifying our Voices to Advocate for Change
SIGN ON TO RAISE AWARENESS
Together with our members and partners we advocate for change:
- Raise awareness
- Data and evidence must shed light on child protection issues
- Policies and laws change when governments are educated
- Funding for public health programs can become priorities
No one institution, organization or government can tackle critical issues in isolation; it is only through working in partnership that we can work towards eradicating violence against children.
ISPCAN brings together the country, regional and global organizations with the influence, expertise and resources required to transform how child abuse and neglect is prevented worldwide.
By taking a public stand on key issues, we strive to deliver real change through a broad coalition of dedicated multidisciplinary partners dedicated to the protection of children everywhere.
- Children’s access to essential health services, including trauma-informed mental health care, forensic medical evaluations and treatment of adverse physical sequelae of violence and exploitation
- Advancing research on child maltreatment prevention which requires sustained investment and international collaboration.
- Global response services for children on the move who are impacted by global wars, and deportation
Current Advocacy Statements
Impact of International Policy and Defunding on Child protection
February 22, 2025
The current global challenges are significant, but the dedication of our child protection community remains unwavering. ISPCAN and our partners strongly advocate for policies and practices that uphold children's rights and ensure their safety despite political changes. International developments carry significant implications for child safety, well-being, and development in every country.
The last few weeks have been marked by dramatic shifts in global funding and policy, bringing profound uncertainty to many professionals who work in child protection. Representing over a thousand professionals worldwide, 52 country partner organizations and 28 international partners, we are deeply concerned about armed conflict, child protection, health funding and international partnerships.
Vulnerability in funding may particularly impact organizations serving specific at-risk populations. The increased risks for minority populations, children on the move, LGBTQI+ and transgender children already encounter heightened exposures to violence, discrimination, exclusion, and suicidality. Funding reductions may further limit access to culturally competent, evidence-based care and protective services, exacerbating these challenges and putting extreme pressure on a precious, specialized child protection workforce already strained in normal circumstances.
Our focus remains steadfast: protecting ALL children from experiencing abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and mitigating the adverse effects of maltreatment is a global responsibility of all nations to work together. However, we call to attention urgently the far-reaching impacts of funding disruptions that political and international policy do impact, particularly in:
ISPCAN remains resolute in its mission to work for the protection of children worldwide, regardless of geopolitical circumstances. Child protection must maintain or increase funding without bias for child protection research and practice, as the impact to child well-being is significantly worse during times of global violence and discord. Our duty is to serve all children without bias or discrimination based on race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion or ability. We advocate to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed and rights-based care to children and families.
The last few weeks have been marked by dramatic shifts in global funding and policy, bringing profound uncertainty to many professionals who work in child protection. Representing over a thousand professionals worldwide, 52 country partner organizations and 28 international partners, we are deeply concerned about armed conflict, child protection, health funding and international partnerships.
Vulnerability in funding may particularly impact organizations serving specific at-risk populations. The increased risks for minority populations, children on the move, LGBTQI+ and transgender children already encounter heightened exposures to violence, discrimination, exclusion, and suicidality. Funding reductions may further limit access to culturally competent, evidence-based care and protective services, exacerbating these challenges and putting extreme pressure on a precious, specialized child protection workforce already strained in normal circumstances.
Our focus remains steadfast: protecting ALL children from experiencing abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and mitigating the adverse effects of maltreatment is a global responsibility of all nations to work together. However, we call to attention urgently the far-reaching impacts of funding disruptions that political and international policy do impact, particularly in:
- Children's access to essential health services, including trauma-informed mental health care, forensic medical evaluations and treatment of adverse physical sequelae of violence and exploitation
- Advancing research on child maltreatment prevention which requires sustained investment and international collaboration.
- Global response services for children on the move who are impacted by global wars, and deportation
ISPCAN remains resolute in its mission to work for the protection of children worldwide, regardless of geopolitical circumstances. Child protection must maintain or increase funding without bias for child protection research and practice, as the impact to child well-being is significantly worse during times of global violence and discord. Our duty is to serve all children without bias or discrimination based on race/ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion or ability. We advocate to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed and rights-based care to children and families.
Action Needed:
We call upon:
- Governments: To keep the well-being of children and families as a priority in decision making despite political differences, supporting all children regardless of race, gender, status or nationality
- Non-profit organizations and funders: To prioritize child protection and health services, ensuring consistent funding streams to protect at-risk populations, regardless of nationality, gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, religion, or ability.
- Healthcare and Child protection professionals: To collaborate, share best practices, and advocate for the continued development and implementation of effective prevention and intervention programs.
- Researchers and academic institutions: To promote and continue research that contributes to evidence-informed practices and policy and professional training in child maltreatment prevention and intervention that is not tied to political changes.
- Community and grassroots organizations: To rise up, bring attention to the impacts of policy, funding and political changes to the health and wellbeing of all children and families at the local level.
- ISPCAN members and partner organizations: To join us, utilize and translate this message to advocate with their local governments and to facilitate multi-sectoral collaboration, sharing of resources, knowledge and encouragement.
Contributing Organizations:
Children in Armed Conflict
March 13, 2025
ISPCAN and partners stand together to advocate to end any war fighting in civilian neighborhoods where child rights are at risk. Caregivers experiencing trauma also need help to support children. No matter where or why, the horrors of war and civil unrest affect all of us. ISPCAN stands for peace and diplomacy, not acts of war or violence, where children are the ultimate victims. In situations of humanitarian crisis, caregiving is severely compromised as parents must deal with their own trauma while providing basic support to their children. For caregivers in these areas, please find UNODC tools and resources that have been developed over a decade during various crises to help children and families. With our partners from UNODC, WHO, the University of Oxford, ISSOP, the University of Manchester, and Parenting for Lifelong Health we recommend these practical resources that are critical for the care of children.
Action Needed:
Children should not be affected in the middle of armed conflict or used as pawns. The short term harm and long term morbidity and risks for child abuse escalate exponentially in these situations, as do their chances of becoming orphans. Please sign our petition to end the violence in civilian areas in war and supporting caregivers through this trauma. Ultimately caregivers must have the tools and resources to help children to mitigate further harm.
Contributing Organizations:
