Our Mission & Approach
About Safernet Child Protection Initiative
Creating safer environments for children through prevention, training, survivor support, and digital safety.
Mission
To prevent child sexual abuse and online exploitation through evidence-informed prevention, comprehensive training, survivor-centered support, and policy advocacy in Africa and globally.
We believe that child protection is a collective responsibility, requiring action at organizational, community, and systemic levels.
Vision
A world where every child is safe from sexual abuse, where adults and organizations take responsibility for protection, where survivors are believed and supported, and where laws and policies safeguard children online and offline.
Our Approach: Four Strategic Areas
We work across these interconnected areas to create comprehensive child protection.
Screen, Select & Inform Staff
Ensure organizations recruit safe people and inform them of child protection expectations from day one.
Train & Support Adults
Build organizational capacity through training, mentoring, and ongoing support for staff and volunteers.
Respond & Report Appropriately
Establish clear, trauma-informed procedures for responding to disclosures and reporting to authorities.
Digital Safety & Literacy
Promote digital literacy for children, caregivers, and educators to protect against online exploitation.
Geographic Focus: Africa-Led, Globally Engaged
We prioritize work across African countries—where child sexual abuse prevalence remains high and online exploitation is rising—while also engaging globally on digital safety, policy, and solidarity with international movements.
Current geographic presence: West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, with growing online and regional programming.
We center African solutions, African leadership, and African children's lived experiences in all our work.
Our Partners & Network
We work in collaboration with governments, NGOs, faith institutions, tech companies, and communities.
Ministry of Education Partners
Child Rights Commissions
Faith-Based Organizations
Tech Platform Partners
University Research Partners
Community Organizations
Survivor-Led Organizations
International NGO Networks
Youth Movements
Our Journey
Key milestones in our growth and impact.
2020: Initiative Launch
Safernet's Child Protection Initiative begins with pilot programs in three countries.
2021-2022: Expansion Phase
Expanding to eight countries. Launch of online safety resources and digital literacy programs.
2023: Scale & Integration
Reaching 50,000+ children and training 5,000+ professionals. Integration of faith and community leaders.
2024: Innovation & Policy
Launch of mobile learning app. Policy advocacy wins in three countries. Survivor-led initiatives.
Part of Safernet's Broader Mission
This Child Protection Initiative is one component of Safernet's comprehensive work on online safety for children and women, policy engagement for digital rights, and digital inclusion in Africa.
We believe that child sexual abuse prevention and online safety are interconnected, and that comprehensive protection requires addressing both offline harms and digital risks through evidence-informed, community-centered, and rights-based approaches.
Join Us in This Work
Whether through partnership, volunteering, advocacy, or support, there are many ways to join Safernet in building protection for every child.
Explore How to Get Involved