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Our themes

We work with civil society to challenge violence against children. Violence is the use of force or abuse of power that causes physical, emotional or psychological harm, or death. Tackling both the causes and consequences of violence against girls and boys is necessary for fulfilling their rights and is only beginning to receive the attention it deserves. These children are mostly younger than 18 years old but we also work with young people up to 25.

ChildHope has shifted from working exclusively with street children to addressing the causes and consequences of violence towards children. We work with children who are neglected by their families, communities and governments, those that slip through already weak social safety nets and are the most vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and injustice. These children are typically:

• Living on the streets
• Abused by the police and judiciary
• Forced into hazardous work
• Orphaned or without family support
• Lacking access to education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities

We recognise that boys and girls experience violence (whether linked to abuse, exploitation, injustice or HIV and AIDS) differently. As examples, while sexual violence is perpetrated on more girls than boys, proportionately more boys are in contact with the law. Relationships between mothers, fathers, other carers, boys and girls have to be understood within the context of gender inequality and changes in behaviour will involve the committed and participation of all in different ways.

We always work in partnership with national or local NGOs. We support partners in Africa, South Asia and South America who are mainly working on, and learning about, these three themes:

1. Reducing child abuse and exploitation:

• reducing abuse in families, communities and organisations, including promoting positive non-violent forms of discipline with children and preventing family breakdown
• enabling girls and boys to find alternatives to hazardous labour and preventing and protecting them from sexual exploitation
• improving access to and the quality of education for vulnerable children and street and working children
• strengthening the capacity of government agencies, NGOs and CBOs in implementing organisational child protection policies and procedures

2. Improving child justice and participation:

• improving children’s access to justice and fair treatment for children in contact with the law
• reforming laws, policies and practices that contravene the UNCRC
• enhancing children’s, and especially girls’, political influence, status and position
• promoting child-led initiatives, educating children about their responsibilities as well as their rights, and increasing children’s influence over those who work with or for them

3. Promoting the rights of children affected by HIV and AIDS:

• implementing and researching strategies for livelihood security, community-based fostering as an alternative to institutionalisation and access to education and information for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their families
• encouraging NGOs and governments to improve policies and practices in relation to OVC and their families
• enabling OVC in rural areas to access voluntary counselling and testing and appropriate treatment and care