Back in October, I had the privilege of bringing together and taking part in two multidisciplinary workshops for select members of our network who are providing child helpline services to children and young people affected by the war in Ukraine.
Funded by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), the workshops were led by expert speakers Simona Ružnić, Expert in Child Protection in Emergencies, and Eva Notté, Technical Advisor, from Terre des Hommes Netherlands.
These workshops aimed to equip child helpline staff with essential skills and knowledge to better identify children at risk of abuse and exploitation as a result of the war in Ukraine.
As highlighted in our Community Report (August 2024):
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than 14 million Ukrainian refugees crossed borders in search of a safer environment, with Europe hosting approximately 6 million refugees, predominantly women and children.
The high family separation rate – around 70% – has placed children at significant risk of violence, trafficking and exploitation.
Both within Ukraine and in host countries, children’s physical wellbeing, mental health and education are under severe threat, leading to increased pressure on mental health and psychosocial support services.
Child helplines can play a crucial role in addressing these needs, providing essential support and guidance to affected children and their families.
Topics
The workshops focused on addressing key challenges identified in Phase 2 of our Children’s Voices Ukraine project. Based on learnings from the previous workshops, we concentrated on Child Exploitation and Intersectionality.
The workshops aimed to enhance collaboration nationally and regionally in response to the War in Ukraine, as well as building capacity in addressing complex issues such as child exploitation and the unique vulnerabilities that arise from intersecting factors.
In the first workshop we delved deeper into the definition of child exploitation: the four key elements to consider; how it was distinguished from child abuse; forms of child exploitation; and the importance of language and terminology.
In the second workshop we explored intersectionality, power awareness and positionality, and how all three link back to root causes of child exploitation.
During the workshops it was emphasized that the better we can recognize exploitation, the more tools we have to identify potential situations of child trafficking.
Attendees
Held online, the workshops we were joined by our partners and dedicated child helpline staff from:
Key Takeaways
- Enhanced understanding of child exploitation: The workshops provided participants with a clearer understanding of child exploitation, distinguishing it from child abuse, and identifying various forms of exploitation. This knowledge can help child helpline staff recognize and address risks more effectively.
- Intersectionality and root causes: As we explored the concept of intersectionality and its link to root causes of exploitation, we embarked on a shift toward a more comprehensive, systemic approach to child protection. This understanding could influence future interventions and national and regional policymaking.
- The power of partnerships: Bringing together diverse child helplines affected by the war, as well as expert speakers and our donor, exemplified the strength of united efforts. These collaborations fostered a shared commitment to the cause, enabling the pooling of resources, expertise, and strategies to create a more impactful and coordinated response to child exploitation in Ukraine and beyond.
Concluding Thoughts
Being part of these workshops was an incredibly rewarding experience. I deeply appreciate the expertise of Simona and Eva from Terre des Hommes, the support of KIND enabling such learning opportunities, as well as the commitment of the participants, whose dedication contributed to the great success of the workshops.
Laura Holliday
Learning Manager
