World Day for Prevention
of Child Abuse - 19 November ©

2001 Poster
 

 
To see and print poster in A4 format, click here
 

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2001 Open Letter

Dear Coalition Members and Campaign Partners :

The Women's World Summit Foundation WWSF* takes this opportunity to thank all 149 organizations from 60 countries that have answered the call to join the international coalition and expressed commitment to mark the World Day for Prevention of Child abuse on 19 November 2001 with appropriate activities and events to call forth a culture of prevention around the world. Broad based coalitions are more and more recognized to be one of the most energetic parts of civil society and coalition members are important touchstones for change, creating movement, awareness, life, energy, and ignite the spirit of human dignity. The problem of child abuse and exploitation, especially sexual, is an alarming universal problem, which needs increased local, national and international attention and ongoing effective prevention and protection measures.

As coalition members you are part of a growing global partnership network engaged in different activities including education, advocacy, empowerment, prevention, protection and rehabilitation programs, children's rights activities, advice, hot-line services and participation in international fora. Together you are making the World Day a discernable moment in time for increased public awareness and mobilization. The names of your organizations are featured on the global poster to give visibility to your participation and on our web site (19 November). Your national programs for 19 and 20 November 2001 will also be added on the web as we hear about them from you.

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Objectives

International coalition members commit to

 Participate in creating a culture of prevention by convening annual events and joint activities to mark the World Day, in synergy with the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (20 November)

 Empower communities to take responsibility for the future of their children by teaching them protective skills

 Develop local expertise and alternative opportunities for children in vulnerable situations and provide protective filters and guidelines for the good use of the Internet

 Be a platform for information sharing and awareness raising about effective prevention-, protection- and rehabilitation programs and activities in your communities

 Innovate and continue to improve partnership approaches for prevention and protection of child abuse and neglect

 Help create the political will and remind Governments of their ratification of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, especially Article 34

 Lobby governments for official proclamation of the World Day as a National Day, to enact legislation and strengthen appropriate mechanisms

 Increase outreach at a national, regional and international level including the media

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Working Principles For Coalition Members

 Empower organizations and the media to address the problem of sexual abuse with local interventions and communications. There are no standard prevention services that can be applied everywhere. The diversity of social, economic and cultural contexts has to be reflected in all programs

 Support local projects that catalyse change, i.e. drama, dance, music, puppets, drums, story telling, dialogue circles, etc.

 Declare community ownership and responsibility for your local events in all aspects, such as financing, administration, training, etc.

 Strengthen local moral values and allow children to be involved in programs where appropriate and to have a voice

 Assimilate new information and prevention programs without jeopardizing local values and language

 Identify other organisations and religious groups that will take on prevention of child abuse and rehabilitation programs

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Definitions

 Prevention: Primary programs aimed at the general population include education and awareness raising. Secondary programs targeted at those considered at higher risk, because of poverty, ethnicity, separation from families, etc. and other programs that work with children and young people who have already been exposed to abuse and that would prevent further abuse.

 Protection: is linked to prevention and refers to programs protecting children from abuse or from further harm once abuse has occurred. It can include revising judicial systems and sensitivity for children in the judicial systems.

 Rehabilitation: refers to services that assist children to move on from their experiences of abuse.

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Educational Briefing

WWSF disseminates a public educational briefing "Protecting children from abuse" as of the age of 3 (courtesy Dr. Sherryl Kraizer) (in four languages), which WWSF launched worldwide on the occasion of inaugurating the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse - 19 November 2000. The program can be ordered via Email wdpca@wwsf.ch or downloaded on our website (19 November). 

Use of Logo

Permission to use the logo of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse for information purposes is granted provided that the names of implementing- and sponsor organizations are mentioned. Permission for fundraising purposes requires a written request addressed to WWSF, including event program and budget. WWSF cannot be held responsible for any legal, financial and administrative liabilities, which might result from local activities by coalition members. 

Impact Reports

Feedback on local and national activities and events organized around the Day are highly appreciated; they provide valuable additional information and insights into ways of how to create a culture of prevention of child abuse upon which future interventions and activities can be built. A summary of impact reports received (programs, press releases, news clippings and photographs) will be published on the web site for other actors to learn from participatory approaches to empower local civil society.

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