A safe today to find
their tomorrows
The aim of the Covenant for Childhood is simple.
"Give children their childhood back".
Return the secure, free and open childhood that we took from them.
Embed it in law and pledge to protect it.
Childhood is the most precious time of everyone’s life.
It is where we have the vital freedom and innocence that allows us to discover ourselves, our world and our future in safety.
It is during this time that children begin to build the self-confidence, future learning, well-being and social skills essential to becoming successful, caring adults.
When children lose that childhood they lose their future.
As the most vulnerable members of society, they trust us to protect them from harm and help them to grow.
But for 25 years we have broken their trust
We have compelled them to grow up in maybe the most insecure, exploited, dangerous, intolerant and stifled childhood in over a century, with all the predictable, inevitable, terrible consequences they now have to confront each day.
The very foundations upon which their childhood depends have been compromised:-
They face soaring harassment, abuse, violence, rape, stabbing and death across their streets, playgrounds, schools and communities
The insidious, malign, toxic 24 hour social media relentlessly destroys their privacy, innocence and safety; 70% are victims of Cyber Bullying
They are targeted and exploited by predatory adults, groups and organisations at their most vulnerable age
They are sexualised, corrupted and abused from their earliest years. On-line child abuse images have doubled in 20 years
They are surrounded by street crime and ensnared into criminal gangs in what should be their safest times
1 in 4 have a mental disorder. Children on anti-depressants has surged by 41%. We see an alarming rise in self-harm, anorexia, dysphoria, dangerous obesity…
Suicide has become their greatest cause of death escalating 56% in 10 years and tripling even for 10 to 14 year olds
The highest number of children in care ever recorded where 11% vanish. And 50% of all missing persons are children
Their once broad, open, learning-based teaching and foundational values are being subverted by transient, narrow, rigid indoctrination that stifles their potential
They face record levels of classroom violence and intimidation. They can even experience intolerance, hate and anger in those who should be their role models
The natural curiosity and trust of childhood is exploited by adults for adult gain
The vital certainties and boundaries of childhood, heritage, culture and identity are being erased
The innate bond between parent and child is being eroded to be replaced with unaccountable adults
The stability of childhood is being lost in spiralling family breakdown; 43% of those born in 2001 had to grow up in it
The very people and institutions whose job it was to keep them safe turned away from them when they were needed most
And all this only happened because we turned our backs on them
Everything our children have to cope with today is the result of the deliberate actions of a few and the silence of us all.
We knew what was happening. We saw young lives and dreams shattered every day. And we chose to be silent.
And in our silence we condoned everything that has been done to them.
Our aim may be simple but the task is vast and urgent
Restoring their childhood is a monumental and complex endeavour that will require years of effort and commitment.
But we must never make that the excuse not to start.
There are things that could be done in weeks that would immediately transform every child’s life for years to come and be the solid base upon which their futures can be built.
We can achieve this when all those who recognise the critical importance of childhood work together in such a united and consistent way that it can no longer be ignored.
How can we live with the future we are creating for them if we continue to do nothing?
Those of us who care about what has been done to our children must be the voice they lack.
We need to be a united powerful voice – stronger and louder than those who exploit them – that has the collective authority to:
- Champion every child’s right to a secure, free and open Childhood.
- Confront every individual and organisation who seeks to exploit, abuse or harm them.
- Call to account those in positions of power, responsibility or care who fail them.
- Campaign for a Covenant for Childhood to be embedded in law that will guarantee the protection of childhood, children’s lives and their futures.
Why should a Covenant for Childhood be embedded in law?
Childhood was once safeguarded by our common shared values, moral standards and ethical principles embedded within society.
But as these have been eroded, I believe this protection must now be embedded in law.
Individually we care, but we feel helpless.
Together we can do something
that will transform the life of every child for generations.
They are the most vulnerable members of our society. They are our future.
Every day we remain silent is a day we allow more children’s lives to be harmed.
Will you lend them your voice to give them their childhood back?
Please register your support and we can keep you updated.
We can no longer walk away from them.
We are starting with nothing except a dream
and a pledge for the future of childhood and of our children
Can you help make it their reality
And share this with those you know who care about what is being done to our children
Thank You
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