Communities of faith play a vital role in Kenya and Zambia by offering spiritual guidance, life-skills education, and crucial resources for families. Though children’s development is an integral part of faith-inspired programming, leaders are untrained to protect children from harm. Faith communities, often seen as a safe environment for families, are rampant with sexual abuse, hidden in the guise of “safety.” According to a survey we conducted with faith leaders, 67% have dealt with a case of sexual abuse in their faith community and 92% of faith leaders felt they needed further training on how to adequately respond to sexual abuse cases.
At Freely in Hope, creating safe spaces for children is at the heart of our mission to prevent sexual abuse and foster safety for communities. In response to the needs of faith leaders in Kenya and Zambia, we launched groundbreaking Child Protection Programs equipping faith leaders with the tools and resources to protect children from harm and foster environments where they can thrive. By engaging faith leaders—who hold significant influence within their communities—we are addressing child protection holistically, creating ripple effects that extend to families, schools, and beyond.
zambia: a groundbreaking initiative
In a world where children’s safety and well-being should be a priority, Freely in Hope took a significant step forward in Zambia with its first-ever Child Protection Program. This initiative conducted in partnership with the United Church of Zambia and the Spiritual Church of Zambia gathered 76 faith leaders who wanted to be trained to better protect children in their faith communities. This landmark training emphasized the urgent need to address child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in local communities.
“Before this training, I didn’t know how to respond when a child reported abuse. Now, I understand my role in protecting them not just spiritually, but physically and emotionally. I will implement this knowledge in my church to ensure no child suffers in silence.” Faith Leader, Spiritual Church of Zambia
The program also sparked meaningful dialogue among participants, who shared experiences and strategies for safeguarding children. As a result, faith leaders left the training equipped to advocate for, and implement child protection practices in their congregations.
kenya: expanding the vision
In Kenya, Freely in Hope continued to deepen its Child Protection work by expanding trainings to faith leaders. With over 14 years of experience engaging communities in Nairobi and rural counties, Freely in Hope has established itself as a trusted partner addressing systematic issues affecting children.
This year, Freely in Hope partnered with The Salvation Army to integrate child protection practices into their pastoral leadership, impacting 27 churches across Kenya. Through this training, we recognized that many faith leaders acknowledged that they were unsure of the specific steps needed to support children who have sexually abused. This lack of knowledge creates a significant barrier to providing timely and appropriate assistance to affected children and their families. Additionally, others felt it difficult to address the topic of child sexual abuse due to their strict attitudes, treating discussions about sex as taboo and inappropriate.
After our training, the number of faith leaders who knew how to implement a sexual abuse reporting policy in their faith community grew from 20% to 100%.
By working closely with faith leaders, Freely in Hope is ensuring that children are equipped with knowledge about their rights, fostering resilience and self-advocacy.
learnings from faith communities
1. Sexual violence exists in faith communities: Participants highlighted its prevalence but noted that responses to these cases remain inadequate, resulting in many incidents going unresolved.
2. Child protection policies exist but faith leaders lack training: While most faith leaders and community members are aware that child protection policies exist within their churches, they often lack proper training to implement these policies effectively. This lack of training leaves many uncertain about how to prevent, identify, and respond to incidents of sexual abuse.
3. Clear reporting procedures are absent: A significant concern raised was the lack of clear criteria and procedures for reporting cases of sexual violence or abuse. Many faith leaders are unsure of the proper channels for reporting abuse or how to ensure that necessary steps are taken to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
4. Perpetrators are not prosecuted: In many instances, even when abuse is reported, perpetrators are not held accountable or prosecuted. This lack of accountability fosters an environment where abusers can continue to harm others without facing consequences, perpetuating the cycle of abuse within the community.
At Freely in Hope, our solution is to continue provide ongoing trainings for faith leaders to:
- Reinforce understanding of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, as well as the appropriate prevention and response strategies.
- Create a safe and supportive environment where children and vulnerable individuals feel protected, and faith leaders held accountable for upholding these standards.
- Provide survivors of sexual violence and their families with necessary support and resources within the faith community, including therapy, justice, advocacy, and basic needs.
- Implement robust policies and procedures in place to prevent sexual violence and ensure the protection of every child.
survivor leadership in action
At Freely in Hope, we believe in the power of survivor leadership to transform communities. This belief drives our Child Protection Programs in Zambia and Kenya. Under the guidance of Maryanne, a Freely in Hope alumni and Child Protection Coordinator, these programs are more than just trainings—they are lifelines for building trust, inspiring action, and restoring hope.
“As a survivor, I understand the importance of creating spaces where children feel safe and heard. This work is personal to me because every child deserves the chance to dream without fear.” Maryanne
Maryanne’s approach emphasizes practical tools and compassionate leadership, ensuring that participants leave equipped to make immediate changes in their communities.
You can help illuminate the path for more survivor leaders like maryanne.
Join us in lighting the way for survivors by donating to our Lighting the Way campaign! Your gift has the power to provide survivors with access to life-changing resources like education, counseling, safe housing, and leadership training!
