Articles & News

What are we doing about children exploitation?

What are we doing about the sexual exploitation of children online? It is an uncomfortable question, but one Kenya can no longer afford to avoid. Children's access to smartphones, social media, gaming platforms, and private messaging has expanded rapidly. These technologies offer opportunities for learning and connection, but they have also created new spaces where children can be groomed, coerced, blackmailed, and sexually exploited.

Safeguarding Together: The Pamoja Approach

Safeguarding Is Not Just a Policy. It Is a Culture. Safeguarding is more than having a policy on a shelf. It is about creating environments where children, young people and adults feel safe, respected, heard and protected. A strong safeguarding culture means:

• People know how and where to report concerns.
• Leaders take concerns seriously and act appropriately.

Safeguarding Children

Children don't always say, “I am struggling.” Sometimes their behaviour speaks for them. A child who is struggling emotionally may not always have the words to explain what they are experiencing. You may notice:

• Changes in behaviour
• Withdrawal from friends or activities
• Sudden changes in school performance
• Increased anger or anxiety
• Sleep or eating changes

Safeguarding in the Workplace

Can an organisation truly be safe if people don't feel psychologically safe? Mental health and safeguarding are deeply connected. When people feel unable to speak up, report concerns, ask for help or challenge unsafe behaviour, risks can remain hidden. Psychological safety allows people to say:

• “I am concerned.”
• “Something doesn't feel right.”
• “I need support.”

Workplace Wellbeing

You cannot build a safe organisation by protecting everyone except the people doing the work. Staff wellbeing is not a luxury. For people working in schools, corporate entities, social services, child protection, safeguarding, healthcare, humanitarian response, counselling and other people-centred professions, exposure to complex situations, high demands and the needs of others can take an emotional toll.

Organisations can support their teams through: