World Vision backs calls for global child abuse watchdog

World Vision has backed calls from a major children's charity calling for a new global watchdog to monitor international aid agencies in their efforts to stamp out child abuse by their workers.

The Christian humanitarian agency was speaking in response to a report published by Save the Children last week, which revealed that a significant number of boys and girls are being abused in emergencies, with many cases going unreported. Its report went on to recommend that an international body be established to monitor mechanisms within aid agencies that will stop further instances of abuse from occurring.

In a report on World Vision's website, the organisation's child rights adviser, Philippa Lei, said: "Ensuring that children are kept safe in emergency situations demands a concerted effort by the international community.

"It is an issue that all agencies involved must regularly and rigorously review their performance in if they are truly committed to the well-being of children.

"A global watchdog would serve to enhance accountability and, ultimately, the protection of children."

According to the Save the Children report, victims include orphans, children separated from their parents and families, and children in families receiving humanitarian assistance.

World Vision, which focuses much of its development work at the welfare of children, said that it was committed to the wellbeing and protection of children from all forms of exploitation and abuse.

"Every agency runs the risk of children being sexually exploited or abused by staff, particularly in humanitarian disaster situations," said Ms Lei.

"This is a sad truth of which World Vision is only too aware and we take a very proactive stance on child protection issues to minimise the risk of harm to all the children across the globe with whom we work."

World Vision said that it had in place "a robust child protection policy", which includes the screening of staff and volunteers, strict behaviour protocols and reporting procedures for alleged abuse, including sexual misconduct by staff.

Part of its development work with communities, meanwhile, involves training on how to protect children and listen to them, whilst the children within the programmes are also taught about their rights.

World Vision also gave assurances that it works with police and government authorities in many countries to ensure that incidents of abuse are exposed and dealt with properly according to law.

"Our intention is to strengthen measures to protect children at all levels, from the family and community level to the legal and institutional," said Ms Lei.

"One particular area of focus that World Vision is concerned about and is working to address is the treatment of children with disabilities, who are three to four times more likely to be victims of violence or sexual abuse, and are the least likely to report it."