London's African communities challenge child abuse

Trust for London press release. Embargoed until 00:01 on Sunday 25 July 2010.

Monday's [26 July 2010] Channel 4 Dispatches will highlight the harm caused by labelling children as witches or 'possessed'. The Safeguarding Children's Rights initiative categorically condemns this and all forms of abuse, which it seeks to prevent. Established in 2007 by Trust for London, the initiative brings together key organisations and agencies tackling faith-based abuse in African communities in London. This includes AFRUCA, Africa Policy Research Network, Churches Child Protection Advisory Service, the UK Congolese Safeguarding Action Group and Victoria Climbié Foundation.

The independent evaluation of the initiative, by the Centre for Social Work Research (based at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust), shows that so far:

• Many African-led churches in London have engaged with child protection issues including undertaking training and making positive changes to systems and worship to improve the general safety and well-being of children in their congregations.
  
• The practices of a minority of 'rogue' churches and pastors are being challenged by African communities. This voice has been strengthened by community-led meetings and training for parents and young people.
  
• Specialist training has improved social work and health practitioners' knowledge and understanding of harmful cultural practices, which is critical to improved identification of abuse linked to spirit possession and witchcraft.

"Faith can be a sustaining force for people across all communities," says Baroness Howarth of Breckland, Chair of the initiative's Advisory Group, "Yet, while recognising the positive role that churches can play, we must never use religion and culture to justify or ignore harm to children. Trust for London's initiative has been critical in developing understanding of safeguarding in parts of the community that statutory services find hard to reach."

Trust for London has just agreed to extend the initiative for a further 18 months, with an additional investment of £232,000.

- Ends -

For further information contact Rachael Takens-Milne at Trust for London 020 7606 6145 or 07932 578112, rachael@trustforlondon.org.uk.

Editor's Notes

Groups funded within the special initiative are:

• Africa Policy Research Network
• Africans Unite Against Child Abuse (AFRUCA)
• Churches' Child Protection Advisory Service
• UK Congolese Safeguarding Action Group
• Victoria Climbié Foundation

See below for more information and contact details.

1. The Safeguarding Children's Rights special initiative was established in 2007 after African community groups raised with Trust for London their concerns about faith-based abuse linked to a belief in spirit possession.
2. Trust for London is an independent charitable funder with a mission to tackle poverty and inequality in the capital. The Trust makes grants totalling over £6 million per year, supporting around 400 voluntary and community organisations in London at any one time. It was set up in 1891, and was formerly known as City Parochial Foundation.
3. The Advisory Group to the Safeguarding Children's Rights special initiative is chaired by Baroness Howarth of Breckland, Chair of CAFCASS, former Director of Social Services and founding Chief Executive of ChildLine. It also includes Christine Christie (Manager of the London Safeguarding Children Board), Amma Anane-Agyei (Head of Tower Hamlets' African Families Service) and Chris Bourlet, Metropolitan Police Borough Commander for Merton.
4. The Centre for Social Work Research (CSWR) is a partnership between the Tavistock Clinic and the University of East London. The evaluation of the Safeguarding Children's Rights special initiative is being undertaken by a team led by Professor Stephen Briggs, Director of the CSWR.
5. Africa Policy Research Network (APORENet) promotes human rights and good race relations. Its core activity is a Human Rights in the Community project, funded by the Big Lottery, which works with African communities in London to find solutions to cultural practices which harm children. It has run over 300 sessions involving almost 500 people. APORENet also runs arts programmes for young people and families. The Foundation is supporting the Co-ordinator's post and new work to support 'agents of change', identified through the community human rights project.
6. AFRUCA (Africans Unite Against Child Abuse) is one of the UK's leading charities campaigning against the abuse and exploitation of African children. Its work includes a specialist training programme for frontline staff, facilitating the Safeguarding African Children Network of community organisations, and advice to local Safeguarding Children Boards and Children's Services. So far through this initiative, AFRUCA has trained over 500 practitioners from 14 local authorities. Over 90% of participants felt that the courses have helped to develop improved skills to identify and intervene in families where there are concerns about spirit possession.
7. UK Congolese Safeguarding Action Group is a collaborative partnership of five community organisations, which aims to promote the well-being of Congolese children. The lead organisation is Bantu Welfare Future Builder. Funding has supported the creation of a new Family Centre for Lingala-speaking families in north London, as well as parenting skills classes, a youth forum, one-to-one support to parents and children, and a regular broadcast on Congolese community TV in the UK. Over 250 parents and 230 young people have taken part in UKCSAG's activities.
8. Churches Child Protection Advisory Service is an independent Christian charity providing professional child protection advice, support and training to churches, faith and other organisations. Funding from the initiative is towards CCPAS's work with African-led churches in London, including extensive training and one-to-one support around the development of policies and good working practice. Since 2007, CCPAS has trained more than 5,000 leaders and volunteers from African churches in London.
9. The Victoria Climbié Foundation emerged from the tragic death of Victoria Climbié, the result of ritual abuse by her guardian and the systematic failure of statutory bodies to prevent this abuse. Victoria's parents and the current Director set up the organisation to campaign for better child protection and effective co-ordination between statutory agencies, care services and BME communities. As part of the Safeguarding Children's Rights Initiative, VCF is working with statutory services and African community groups in the London boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon, including delivering training and workshops. It has created a Community Partnership model with Harrow Safeguarding Children Board.

Share this page