Child Abuse Programme

Oak’s child abuse programme should become by 2010 the hub of a network of NGOs, donors and other stakeholders that will advance knowledge and innovation in preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation and assisting victims in their recovery.

The Foundation funds a range of interventions in prevention, protection, recovery-reintegration, and advocacy to address the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children, including trafficking.

Its current priority countries are:

• Switzerland
• Bulgaria
• Latvia
• Ethiopia
• Uganda
• Tanzania

It also supports multi-country programmes in Eastern Africa and Eastern Europe.

The Foundation supports global NGO players working in several regions of the world, as well as a small number of local NGOs from other countries, chosen by the Foundation, that demonstrate innovation and have the potential for replication.

The Programme gives priority to NGOs that seek collaboration with other actors and that work in the spirit of the principles set out below.

Principles Guiding Oak’s Child Abuse Programme

These principles are the values and approaches that Oak uses to make its funding decisions and build its partnerships. They apply to the whole of Oak’s portfolio. They do not necessarily apply in whole to individual projects.

Putting the child at the centre

• Real impact on children’s lives is central
• Fostering the resilience and strengths of the child, family and community, instead of viewing the child/family/community only through the lense of their “problem”
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is consciously integrated in programmes by partners, and their staff have knowledge and training in the convention
• Child participation, seeing the child as an actor in his/her own development rather than a passive recipient
• Stressing the self-worth, dignity and identity of the child
• Sexual abuse and sexual exploitation are cross-cutting issues
• Working with duty-bearers through advocacy and/or capacity building
• Partners are encouraged to develop and apply a child protection policy

A comprehensive approach

• A multi-sectoral and inter-disciplinary approach, sensitive to impact on the “whole child”
• A balance between care, prevention and advocacy

Operational principles

The balance between national NGO and INGO funding

The funded INGOs will have a commitment to cooperation with and capacity building of national NGOs. Funding will go to INGOs in the following circumstances:

• To undertake cross-border, regional, and international work
• To assist start-up and opening of doors to national NGOs, transferring experience internationally and providing skills
• To work in situations where it is too dangerous for national NGOs
• As a re-granting intermediary for managing small grants in non-priority areas. In priority countries we will assist a national organisation to take on this role
• In situations of urgency where an INGO may be able to move more quickly

Doing and learning

• The programme will learn both from the projects Oak funds and from research (its own and that of others)
• The programme will assist partners to reflect on and learn from their experience

Beyond financial support

• Through technical support and capacity building of partners, seeking to contribute to development at national level

List of grants

• Eastern Africa
• Eastern Europe
• Switzerland
• Organisation with activities in several countries
• Other countries around the world
• Learning Initiative

Depending on the Trustees’ special interest, the programme also supports a selected number of innovative programmes around the world.