Reaffirming our commitment to transparency, accountability and child protection

Over the course of the last several years, the SOS Children’s Villages global federation has implemented improved safeguarding policies and procedures, governance leadership, and overall transparency and accountability. While following through on these safeguarding transformation commitments and ongoing review of past misconducts, SOS Children’s Villages has learned of behaviours of the former founder and Member Associations’ former representatives that unequivocally contradict the federation’s values.

SOS Children’s Villages Canada is deeply saddened to learn of the tremendous harm caused. Together with our many colleagues around the world, we are reaffirming our commitment to all that we condemn these behaviours and do not tolerate abuse or violence against children, young people and adults participating in our programs. We will not waver in holding ourselves to the highest standards of protecting fundamental rights, ensuring our work is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

We remain steadfast in our promise to rigorously evaluate the programs and projects we support and will not stand for any injustices or lack of transparency. We will always be united with survivors and encourage anyone with any knowledge or concerns of wrongdoing to reach out through the independent and anonymous reporting channel.

We will continue to demand accountability and change so that every child and every young person has their rights upheld and the protection they deserve.  

We will not lose faith in our shared mission that every child has a loving home and opportunities to thrive, a purpose that is needed today more than ever.  

To read more, statements are available on SOS Children’s Villages International’s website.