At the Connect To Protect conference, organised by IASIS in Athens, Greece, I had the opportunity to discuss how we can move From First Contact to Safe Justice for child victims. My presentation highlighted three priorities.
First, we need to see children sooner. Exploitation can remain hidden behind what appears to be offending, migration issues, school absenteeism or online activity. When a child appears to have broken the law, we must also ask whether coercion, grooming or exploitation lies behind their behaviour.
Second, we must connect the systems around children. Justice, healthcare, child protection and victim support need to work together. Children should not have to navigate fragmented services, repeat their experiences unnecessarily or face further harm when seeking justice.
Third, we must enable civil society to act. Victim support organisations are often among the first places where children and families feel safe enough to speak. They need clear referral pathways, sustainable resources and a recognised role in the wider protection system.
Ultimately, safe justice means adapting the system to the child, ensuring they are protected, heard and able to participate without experiencing further harm. Child victims need to be seen, believed, protected and supported.
