KEEP KIDS SAFE AND PARTNERS MOBILIZE FOR WORLD DAY FOR THE PREVENTION OF AND HEALING FROM CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, ABUSE, AND VIOLENCE
November 14, 2022 | Washington, DC: Last week, the United Nations officially declared November 18 the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing fromChild Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence. Survivors of childhood sexual violence, allies, and partners in the US and around the world will mobilize on the world day for the implementation and financing of evidence-based solutions to end childhood sexual violence for all.
The movement, led by survivors and supported by advocates and partners, calls for policy development and sustained funding, both domestically and internationally, to support survivors in prevention, healing, and justice.
Violence against children impacts more than one billion children and costs world economies US$7 trillion annually (World Vision). The COVID-19 pandemic placed even more children at risk (World Vision) both off and online. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said that in 2021, it investigated more reports of suspected child sexual abuse than in the first 15 years of its existence (Out of the Shadows Index).
This global scourge calls for immediate action on a global scale. The Brave Movement and partners such as the Keep Kids Safe Movement have evidence-based solutions to drastically reduce these rates if world leaders implement stronger policies and invest in programs to support survivors in every nation across the globe.
In the United States, the Keep Kids Safe Movement has the U.S. National Blueprint to End Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents, a groundbreaking roadmap identifying the specific changes the federal government should implement to end all forms of sexual violence against children and adolescents.
Survivors are calling for comprehensive legislative and financial action focused on prevention, healing, and justice. By making smart policy changes and funding investments, we can ensure practical and cost-effective efforts to prevent child sexual abuse from ever happening.
November 18 marks a crucial day for survivors, allies, and partners as we call for achievable and tangible action:
- Policy development: Improved policies based on evidence-based solutions
- Investment: Domestic and international investment to end violence against children and adolescents
- Prevention to protect current and future generations
- Healing for survivors and their families
- Justice for perpetrators of childhood sexual violence and the complicit
“We need to change the narrative from one of despair and horror to one of change and hope,” says Daniela Ligiero, CEO of Together for Girls and co-founder of the Keep Kids Safe Movement and the Brave Movement. “We know that it doesn’t have to be this way, there are things that can be done, and everyone has a role to play. So let’s demand action on November 18 and beyond.”
“The Keep Kids Movement is honored to witness this historic moment for the protection of children worldwide and we remain dedicated to leading the United States towards comprehensive federal legislation,” says Katelyn N. Brewer, President & CEO of Darkness to Light and Chair of the Keep Kids Safe Movement.
Building upon the momentum of the World Day, the Keep Kids Safe Movement is mobilizing a Hill Day in April to celebrate the one year launch anniversary of the U.S National Blueprint to End Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents and accelerate the United States’ commitment to guaranteeing the fundamental right to prevention, healing and justice for all.
Learn more about how the Keep Kids Safe Movement and other Brave Movement partners are mobilizing on November 18 and access their full suite of advocacy resources by visiting bravemovement.org/global-mobilization-day.
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About the Keep Kids Safe Movement
The Keep Kids Safe Movement is a powerful partnership between organizations, survivors, and allies focused on ending sexual violence against children and adolescents in all its forms – child sexual abuse, incest, child sexual exploitation, rape, sexual violence in dating relationships, and sexual violence among peers. The movement is focused on inclusive, comprehensive, bold, and transformative action from leaders including: prevention to protect this and every generation to come, healing for victims, survivors, and their families, and justice for victims and survivors as well as accountability for perpetrators and institutions who covered up the abuse. For more information, visit keep-kids-safe.org.