Save the Children’s Definition of Child Protection

Definition of Child Protection adopted by Save the Children on 10 December 2007.

Save the Children defines child protection as measures and structures to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence affecting children. Child protection means safeguarding children from harm. Harm includes violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect. The goal of child protection is to promote, protect and fulfil children’s rights to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)) and other human rights, humanitarian and refugee treaties and conventions, as well as national laws.

Child protection should not be confused with the protection of all children’s rights, which is the responsibility of everyone working with children. Similarly, child protection is related to – but distinct from – the organisational protocols, policies and procedures aiming to ensure that every child with whom Save the Children and its partners works is safe while they are in our care.