It Starts with Protecting the Rights of Children

Since the beginning of our COVID-19 new reality, we have seen many issues come to our collective attention.

For some of us, the issues are well-known. And for some of us, the issues are new considerations.

For all of us, this has been a time to reflect on our priorities.

Through all of the recent and current changes that humanity is encountering, none of them have caused me to believe that our goal, to eradicate childhood sexual abuse, is any less urgent or relevant.

An Important Read

Over the past couple of months I have been reading through this review of Canada's successes and limitations in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The book is called A Question of Commitment THE STATUS OF CHILDREN IN CANADA second edition.

While we at Priority Kids have been advocating for protecting children from sexual abuse, I acknowledge that our efforts to protect the Rights of Children, specifically,  have been more coincidental than intentional.

Because of this book our understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has been deepened. And so has our commitment to defending Children's Rights.

As I have become increasingly familiar with the Convention on the Rights of Child, and what those rights are, I can't imagine that the social challenges that we are struggling with today will persist when children's rights are protected.

How would a child, free from abuse, free from discrimination, with the right to self expression, the right to education, the right to be protected from harm…how could this child grow into a person who would not value the rights of others?

Canada's ratification of the Convention should be a guarantee that all children are being made aware of their rights in a way that is age appropriate and ongoing.

In fact, our policies, our practices, and our actions seldom convey the reality that we are legally bound by the Convention on the Rights of the Child to recognize children as rights bearers.

Our legal obligation is to be aware of Children's Rights, to teach children about their Rights and to ACTIVELY protect the Rights of Children.

Article 34 of the convention states that children have the right to be free from sexual abuse.

How do you see the Convention on the Rights of the Child being implemented in youth-serving organizations? How do you teach children about their rights? How does your organization recognize and protect the rights of children?

Download the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child - a one page poster in child-friendly language. Place it on your fridge, put it on a bulletin board, and share it with the children in your life.

It’s up to us to promote and defend children’s rights.

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If the content of this article causes you distress or discomfort, please seek support.

Where to get help in Nova Scotia

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868