Policies and Legislation

Strengthening Child Protection Through Effective Policies and Legislative Measures

Child protection involves safeguarding children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and violence, ensuring their rights and safety are upheld. The Child Protection Global Network (CPGN) is committed to addressing systemic failures in child protective systems to create safe, nurturing environments for children worldwide.

What is Child Protection?

What is Child Abuse?

What are the Facts and Statistics?

What are the Policies and Legislation?

Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000

The Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000 (CPSA) is a landmark piece of legislation that provides a comprehensive framework for the prevention, prosecution, and protection of victims of child abuse and neglect in the United States. The CPSA was signed into law on October 28, 2000, and has been reauthorized and expanded several times since then.

The CPSA defines child abuse as the physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment or neglect of a child by a parent, caregiver, or another person. The CPSA also recognizes that children involved in any form of exploitation are considered victims, regardless of whether they have been physically forced or coerced.

The CPSA established a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse: prevention, protection, and prosecution. These three elements are also known as the "3P" paradigm.

In conclusion, the Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000 is a comprehensive piece of legislation that provides a framework for the prevention, protection, and prosecution of child abuse in the United States. The CPSA has helped to raise awareness about the dangers of child abuse and provides support for victims while increasing the penalties for perpetrators. Its "3P" paradigm has been replicated in other countries and is widely regarded as a model for effective child protection efforts.

Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005

The Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 (CPRA) is an update to the original Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000 (CPSA). The CPRA reauthorized and expanded many of the provisions in the CPSA, including those related to prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts.

One of the key changes introduced by the CPRA was the establishment of the Senior Policy Operating Group on Child Protection, which is responsible for coordinating the U.S. government’s child protection efforts. The CPRA also expanded the definition of child abuse to include both physical and emotional abuse, and clarified the definition of a victim of abuse to include any child who has been subjected to harm, regardless of whether they are a U.S. citizen or a foreign national.

In terms of prosecution, the CPRA increased the penalties for abuse offenses and expanded the scope of federal criminal law to cover more abuse-related offenses. The CPRA also increased funding for the investigation and prosecution of abuse cases, and authorized the U.S. Attorney General to bring civil actions against those who engage in abuse-related offenses.

Overall, the Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005 was a significant update to the original CPSA, providing a more comprehensive framework for the prevention, protection, and prosecution of child abuse in the United States. The CPRA expanded protections for victims, increased penalties for perpetrators, and provided greater support for prevention and international efforts to combat child abuse.

In terms of prevention, the CPRA established a grant program to support the development of public awareness campaigns programs aimed at reducing the incidence of child abuse and increasing awareness about the dangers of child exploitation. The CPRA also provides funding for programs that provide training and support to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges to enhance their ability to identify and respond to cases of child abuse.

The CPRA also introduced several provisions related to international child protection, including the creation of a new visa category for victims of abuse who cooperate with law enforcement and the establishment of a program to provide assistance to foreign countries in their efforts to combat child abuse.

The William Wilberforce Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008

The William Wilberforce Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 is a U.S. federal law that reauthorized and expanded the provisions of the Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000 (CPSA). The Act is named after William Wilberforce, an English politician who was instrumental in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

The Act of 2008 strengthened several key aspects of the CPSA, including prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts. In terms of prevention, the Act created a new grant program to support the development of child protection programs, including the creation of hotlines, public awareness campaigns, and victim services. The Act also established a new Office to Monitor and Combat Child Abuse, which is responsible for coordinating the U.S. government’s child protection efforts.

In terms of prosecution, the Act increased the penalties for abuse offenses and provided funding for the investigation and prosecution of abuse cases. The Act also expanded the scope of federal criminal law to cover additional abuse-related offenses, such as forced labor and debt bondage.

The Act of 2008 also addressed the issue of sex trafficking of children by requiring states to adopt laws that treat minors involved in commercial sex as victims of abuse, rather than as criminals. The Act provided funding to states to develop and implement these laws, which are known as “safe harbor” laws.

In terms of protection, the Act expanded the range of services available to abuse victims, including access to legal services. The Act also created new protections for abuse victims, such as the right to sue their abusers for damages and the right to be notified of court proceedings related to their case.

The Act of 2008 also introduced several new provisions, including the establishment of a new task force to combat child trafficking, the creation of a new visa category for victims of child abuse who are cooperating with law enforcement, and the requirement for certain U.S. government contractors to develop compliance plans to prevent child abuse.

Overall, the William Wilberforce Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 was a significant update to the CPSA, providing additional resources and protections for abuse victims, and increasing the penalties for abuse offenses. The Act also introduced new provisions to address the issue of child trafficking and the sex trafficking of minors, and established a more comprehensive framework for the prevention, protection, and prosecution of child abuse in the United States.

The Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013

The Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013 is a U.S. federal law that reauthorized and expanded the provisions of the Child Protection and Safety Act of 2000 (CPSA). The Act of 2013 builds upon the earlier reauthorization acts of 2005 and 2008, and contains a number of key provisions aimed at strengthening the U.S. government's response to child abuse.

One of the major provisions of the Act of 2013 is the requirement that federal agencies take additional steps to prevent and respond to child abuse. For example, the law requires the U.S. Department of State to develop a strategy to prevent child abuse and to provide additional training to embassy personnel on how to identify and respond to abuse cases. The Act of 2013 also requires the U.S. government to develop a strategy to prevent abuse in federal procurement and contracting.

In addition to these provisions, the Act of 2013 also strengthens penalties for abuse offenses and increases resources for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute abusers. The law provides additional funding to the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support investigations and prosecutions of abuse cases. The Act of 2013 also increases the penalties for abuse-related offenses, and provides additional tools for prosecutors to pursue charges against abusers.

Another key provision of the Act of 2013 is the establishment of the Advisory Council on Child Protection. The Advisory Council is composed of abuse survivors and other experts in the field, and is charged with advising the U.S. government on policies and programs related to child protection.

Overall, the Child Protection Reauthorization Act of 2013 builds upon the existing framework of the CPSA and provides additional tools and resources to prevent, protect, and prosecute child abuse cases in the United States. The law strengthens protections for abuse victims, increases penalties for abusers, and provides additional resources to law enforcement to combat abuse. The Act of 2013 is an important step forward in the fight against child abuse and represents a significant effort to combat this form of exploitation in the United States.

The Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015

The Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 is a U.S. federal law that provides additional tools and resources for law enforcement to combat child abuse. The law was passed in response to concerns about the increasing prevalence of child abuse in the United States and the need for additional resources to address this issue.

One of the key provisions of the Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 is the creation of a new fund to provide additional resources for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute abuse cases. The fund is financed through fines and penalties imposed on convicted abusers, and provides additional funding for law enforcement agencies to support their child protection efforts.

The law also strengthens penalties for abuse-related offenses and provides additional tools for prosecutors to pursue charges against abusers. For example, the Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 allows for the forfeiture of assets that are derived from abuse offenses, and provides additional protections for victims of abuse who are cooperating with law enforcement.

In addition to these provisions, the Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 also strengthens protections for victims of abuse. The law provides additional resources to support the development of specialized services for abuse victims, counseling, and legal assistance. The law also requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan to better coordinate and provide services to abuse victims across federal agencies.

The Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 also includes a provision aimed at addressing the demand for commercial sex by increasing penalties for individuals who purchase sex from trafficking victims. The law provides additional funding to support the development of public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the demand for commercial sex and increasing awareness about the dangers of child abuse.

Overall, the Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 provides additional resources and tools for law enforcement to combat child abuse in the United States. The law strengthens penalties for abusers, provides additional protections for victims, and increases resources to support prevention and public awareness efforts. The Justice for Victims of Child Abuse Act of 2015 is an important step forward in the fight against child abuse and represents a significant effort to address this form of exploitation in the United States.

Our goal is to ensure the safety and protection of every child until it is achieved. Our goal is to support communities in protecting the future of children and promoting their welfare.