Abstract
This article focuses on Violence against Children (VAC) as a growing public health and social development problem globally. It provides a summary of the framework and model focusing on addressing VAC which World Vision is implementing in East Africa. The systems approach and the Child Protection and Advocacy (CPA) model were considered in addressing VAC. In different ways communities are demonstrating enormous progress in preventing and responding to violence against children in East Africa through the CPA model. There is clear evidence from the community case studies that child protection committees have provided an effective inter-sectoral and inter disciplinary mechanism that links the formal and non formal structures to coordinate interventions and responses to prevent VAC Through the Analysis, Design and Planning Tool (ADAPT) , harmful practices like child marriages, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), child labour, sexual abuse, defilement, child trafficking and child neglect have been have been identified and are being responded to through formal and informal child protection mechanisms to ensure the well - being of children. Further research and analysis is however required to investigate how the community informal and formal child protection system can be strengthened to effectively address violence against children. Key words: Sexual abuse, violence, public health, child protection system, social ecology, risk factors, protective factors, ecological perspective, formal and non-formal, child protection and advocacy.
Highlights
The United Nations has identified Violence Against Children (VAC) as a growing public health and social development problem globally through a study commissioned in 2006
In this chapter we focus on the frameworks and models which World Vision is implementing in East Africa in addressing VAC
There is clear evidence from the community case studies that the community child protection committees/groups have built their capacity and are working to ensure that children in the communities are protected from different forms of violence
Summary
The United Nations has identified Violence Against Children (VAC) as a growing public health and social development problem globally through a study commissioned in 2006. In doing so we adopt a systems approach to child protection, helping to strengthen the protective environment around children, as well as the children themselves This includes a focus on the formal elements (for example, national legislation, legal services and social welfare services) and informal elements (for example, churches, community based organizations and indigenous leaders) that work together to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of violence against children. A systems approach addresses child protection more holistically, brings greater focus on prevention, and strengthens the critical roles and assets of the key factors responsible for child protection These key factors include government, civil society, parents, caregivers, families, children and youth and other community structures which together provide formal and non formal child protection mechanisms and services. THE CHILD PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY ( CPA) MODEL AS A MEANS OF ADDRESSING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
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