Protecting children from sexual abuse and maltreatment

Protecting children from sexual abuse and maltreatment is a main concern in development cooperation. According to World Health Organization (WHO) 10% of all boys and 20% of all girls worldwide are victims of sexual abuse or maltreatment. Children living in institutions or otherwise being taken into care face to a greater risk of abuse. Organizations working in development cooperation are required to support programs on child-protection – and to protect all girls and boys participating in their projects against assaults.

Kindernothilfe supports numerous protection programs and makes every effort to prevent the children involved in its projects abroad and in its German-based activities from sexual abuse and maltreatment. Kindernothilfe’s Child Protection Policy forms the basis for child protection activities. All staff members in Germany and abroad will be sensitized to ways to prevent sexual abuse and maltreatment and learn how to report concerns and suspected cases in a transparent manner and how to deal with cases of abuse and maltreatment that may occur within the organization’s scope of work. Within the concept, the aspects of child protection as well as psychological and medical treatment and rehabilitation are the main concerns.

Kindernothilfe trains all its partner organizations worldwide to assist them in developing and implementing their own child protection policies.

The Kindernothilfe Child Protection Officer coordinates all activities related to prevention and case management. Suspected cases of child sexual abuse and maltreatment can also be reported to an independent Ombudsperson.

Furthermore Kindernothilfe is engaged in the international Child Protection alliances of Ecpat and Keeping Children Safe.

Report cases of suspects

If you would like to report a suspected case of sexual abuse or maltreatment in the context of activities carried out by Kindernothilfe, please contact:

Jörg Lichtenberg, Child Protection Officer
Tel.: +49 203 7789-154
Email: joerg.lichtenberg@knh.de

or

Kerstin Feldhoff, Child Protection Ombudsperson
Email: feldhoff.kerstin@gmail.com

If possible, please use the Form for reporting suspected cases of child abuse or maltreatment.

All information will be treated confidentially.