Child Protection

World Vision addresses child protection by working to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against children — including abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation.

As an organization, we work to address the root causes of poverty and injustice in an integrated, holistic way. World Vision is committed to promoting an environment in which vulnerable children, their families, and communities are educated and empowered to prevent abuse and exploitation, to protect children from immediate danger, and to restore children who have been exposed to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or violence.

World Vision works alongside hospitals, schools, and law enforcement agencies to ensure that child protection is a priority by encouraging groups to raise awareness and advocate for child rights and protection.

World Vision focuses on the children who are most vulnerable — those who have been orphaned, who live on the street, and who are not in school. We educate them about what trafficking is, and the techniques that abusers use to lure children. Empowering these vulnerable children to access quality education, while meeting immediate needs such as food and housing, can make all the difference for preventing child exploitation.

World Vision protects children by looking out for their well-being — ensuring that communities are actively working to identify and support children in need; advocating for children’s rights; and providing for immediate needs, such as emergency shelter and essential care.

Advocating for the rights of children is an important part of our work, both in the communities where we work, and on a national level here in the United States to influence legislation that protects vulnerable children. Our work with the most vulnerable in communities where child trafficking is prevalent encourages and informs national advocacy to improve upon systems for child protection.

Children who have been abused or exploited need time and care in order to recover. We work to restore and reunite children with their families and communities when possible and appropriate. But we start by helping children who’ve been exploited to heal through medical, legal, and psychosocial services, providing life and livelihood skills and education. Often, this means providing a safe place for children to go, while offering counseling and recovery activities.