The ChildSafe Network program started in Banda Aceh, Indonesia in December 2007.

Planned Activities for 2008 / 2009

The ChildSafe Network objective is to develop an extensive child protection network advancing community responsibility towards defending child rights and protecting them from all forms of abuse.

To achieve this objective in Banda Aceh, ChildSafe will:

• Select and train a network of approximately 100 individuals and business each year such as becaks (mototaxis), ulamas (religious teachers), intercity bus drivers and local authorities to recognize and respond to children in dangerous situations.
  • Promote community responsibility towards protecting children by adhering to the spirit of the ChildSafe Network:“Together, protecting children”.
  • Create and continuously update training materials offering practical strategies and solutions. Training includes how to respond if members witness child sexual abuse, physical abuse, unsafe migration, health problems, accidents and others.
  • Ensure monthly/quarterly monitoring of all members and refresher trainings.
  • Encourage good business principles to prevent child abuse “Good clients = Good business”.
  • Promote ChildSafe Network members through carefully selected media channels.
• Together with Teman Baik, build a strong and effective referral system to have the best possible service available for children in need.
  • Work with and support other organizations including Government services provided by Dinas Sosial and NGO partners in the future to provide a full range of high quality services specifically designed for children and youth.
  • Promote the ChildSafe Network contact phone number as well as the existing emergency services (National hotline - Tesa 129) to ChildSafe Network members.
• Promote responsible tourism in Aceh Province by raising awareness among tourists about the positive ways they can help marginalized children during their travels.
  • Develop ChildSafe Traveler Tips for travelers (i.e. avoid giving money to begging children, use Tesa 129 if you see a child in a risk situation, support local organizations that are helping marginalized children).
  • Distribute the ChildSafe Traveler Tips through ChildSafe Network members, local media, travel guides, airlines and country entry points (international airports, borders).
• Conduct KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) survey on the intent of local Acehenese population giving to begging children and buying from children street sellers.
  • Use research data to develop positive messaging that will build awareness about the current situation children face on the streets and encourage the local community to adopt better ways to help these children.
  • Distribute ChildSafe Network information as a means of prompting the community to actively participate in protecting vulnerable children.
• Support and develop the Government’s involvement in the project to ensure project sustainability and growth.
  • Support and promote the Government supported hotline (Tesa 129) as a means to report child abuse and children in dangerous situations.
  • Seek agreements with the Ministry of Tourism to support the network and the responsible tourism campaign.

The ChildSafe Network program in Aceh Province is implemented by Friends-International Indonesia based in Banda Aceh.

Please contact us if you want to learn more about our program in Aceh:

Mr. Safrizal
ChildSafe Network Project Manager - Aceh Province
Email: safrizal@friends-international.org