Safeguarding the Rights of the African Child – a project designed to strengthen the capacity of African communities and statutory agencies in London – to discuss and explore the general principles of child rearing and safeguarding children – in accordance with the United Nations 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and with the Children Act 1989 and 2004.

Press Release: Funding Initiative to tackle faith-based child abuse in London

A three-year project aimed at tackling issues of child abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession. The grant from the Safeguarding Children’s Rights Initiative, awarded to VCF – The Victoria Climbié Foundation UK by independent funders City Parochial Foundation (CPF) and Trust for London (TFL), supports work in two London boroughs to strengthen links between statutory services and African communities, including improving identification of vulnerable children and understanding of the beliefs and practices which can lead to child abuse.

VCF is a member of the Safeguarding Children’s Rights (SCR) Advisory Board, chaired by Baroness Valerie Howarth. The board was established by CPF to monitor and evaluate the initiative.

Evaluation of this work was undertaken by the Centre for Social Work Research – a partnership between University of East London and Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation

Summary Report
Safeguarding Children’s Rights: Exploring issues of witchcraft and spirit possession in London’s African communities. Trust for London (2011)

Full Evaluation Report
Safeguarding Children’s Rights Special Initiative: Final Evaluation Report. Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust/University of East London Centre forSocial Work Research (2011)

Related Activities:

VCF working together with Acton Community Forum | Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) | ECPAT | Stepping Stones Nigeria | London Safeguarding Children Board | Harrow Local Safeguarding Children Board

The Journey; Safeguarding the rights of the Afrrican Child
Facing the Unthinkable Training for churches, faith groups and community organisations
Safeguarding children controlled through belief in ritual oaths, ‘child witches’, or religious or traditional practices ECPAT UK (2009)
Child First Conference; Preventing abuse of the Nigerian Child Today
Safeguarding Children across Culture and Faith
Enhancing the Life Chances of Black African and Caribbean Children Seminar

See also:

Does Britain need legislation to protect children from being labelled as witches?
Protecting children across culture and faith 
Safeguarding Children’s Rights Initiative – Evaluation Report