Brave Movement Launches Global Challenge

GLOBAL CHALLENGE is an opportunity for survivors, survivor networks and allies to develop locally-determined National Calls to Action to end childhood sexual violence from countries around the world

The Brave Movement will launch a Global Call to Action, a G7 Call to Action, and National Calls to Action at their Global Survivors Action Summit on April 27 2022

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London March 10 2022

The global advocacy Brave Movement has launched a Global Challenge inviting survivors and allies to develop survivor-centered National Calls to Action based on locally determined priorities. Additionally, a Global Call to Action aiming to end childhood sexual violence will be endorsed at a Global Survivors Action Summit on April 27 2022.

Each National Call to Action will make demands to Government and other country-specific decision-makers on how they can take bold action to end childhood sexual violence.

The Brave Movement is led by fifteen adult survivors of childhood sexual violence and their allies, coming together from every continent to demand action and mobilize domestic financing to scale prevention, healing and justice programs.

The Brave Movement is taking collective action and seeking to achieve bold and transformational laws, programs and policies at the local, national and regional level, and in global institutions within the multilateral system.

The Brave Movement is building an international advocacy movement of survivors and allies that aims to mobilize billions for programs of prevention, healing and justice around the world; abolish Statutes of Limitation in every nation across the world; and develop a child-rights driven approach to online end-to-end encryption.

THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE CHALLENGE

  • From 2019 to 2020 there was a 100% increase in reports from the public of online sexual exploitation
  • 1 in 5 women report having been sexually abused as a child, one in ten girls under the age of 20 have experienced sexual violence and every year 12 million girls are married before their 18th birthday
  • 1 in 10 men report having been sexually abused as children
  • Based on data from over 20 countries, anywhere from 8% to 24% of boys experience some form of sexual violence before the age of 18
  • The global economic impacts and costs resulting from the consequences of physical, psychological and sexual violence against children and adolescents can be as high as $7 trillion

TAKING PART IN THE GLOBAL CHALLENGE – DEVELOPING YOUR NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION

Survivor-centered organizations are asked to reach out to networks, individuals, survivors and allies develop policy proposals for government which will end childhood sexual violence in your country. National Calls to Action should represent and reflect the range of perspectives and experiences of childhood sexual violence and ensure it is survivor-centered. National Calls to Action should be submitted on the Brave Movement website by April 15 2022.

Full details of how to develop and submit a National Call to Action are available on the Brave Movement Action Hub: https://www.bravemovement.org/…

The Brave Movement will showcase National Calls to Action at the Global Survivors Action Summit (virtual) on April 27 2022 and on the Brave Movement Action Hub website.

Dr Daniela Ligiero, survivor and a leader in the Brave Movement said: “Global efforts for prevention, healing, and justice must be informed by survivor-centred national demands from organizations, networks and individuals, survivors and allies, to reflect and represent the range of experiences of childhood sexual violence.”

Dr Paul Zeitz, survivor and a leader in the Brave Movement explained why survivors and allies are crucial to the Movement: “Survivors of childhood sexual violence are pivotal to decision making for prevention, healing and justice, as our personal lived experience must inform all policy decisions. We believe it is imperative that “National Calls to Action” are survivor-centered, locally-led, and inclusive of all allies. We welcome as many countries as possible to join the Global Challenge, as we join forces in building our global movement. We are brave so children are safe.”

Rosalia Rivera, survivor and leader in the Brave Movement said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed children everywhere to an even greater risk of violence while reducing their ability to access any support. The Brave Movement will push for stronger political will, strengthen data and evidence, and better inform policy, strategy and investments across the world. This can only be done with informed national demands which allow us to work with one another to shift attitudes, change behaviors, and influence corporations and governments.”

Tabitha Mpamira, survivor and leader in the Brave Movement said: “Breaking the silence is on all of us and should not be a burden placed solely on survivors. As allies, advocates, practitioners, parents, friends, community members, faith leaders, policymakers, decision-makers and researchers, we must all act with urgency, and strengthen our movement to do more for children. The Global Challenge is one of the first crucial steps we can take together in movement building and agenda setting. We must take direct, practical actions together to drive change.”

Join the Brave Movement:

https://www.bravemovement.org/

@bebraveglobal

The Brave Movement leadership includes SAGE: Survivor Advocates Globally Empowered, and a Global Steering Group (GSG).

SAGE Members:

  • Brisa De Ángulo, Bolivia
  • Dr. Daniela Ligiero, USA, Brazil
  • ElsaMarie D’Silva, India
  • Florence Keya, Kenya
  • Janet Aguti, Uganda
  • Dr. Matthew McVarish, UK
  • Miguel Hurtado, Spain
  • Dr. Paul Zeitz, USA
  • Robert Shilling, USA
  • Rosalia Rivera, El Salvador, Canada, SAGE Chair
  • Professor S Caroline Taylor, AM, Australia, SAGE Vice-Chair
  • Sarah Cooper, USA
  • Suresh Chhetry, NepalTabitha Mpamira, Rwanda, Uganda, USA
  • Wibke Muller, Germany

Global Steering Group (GSG):

  • The Army of Survivors
    • Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran, MSW
  • End Violence Lab at the University of Edinburgh
    • Dr. Catherine Maternowska
  • Girls Not Brides
    • Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell
  • Together for Girls
    • Dr. Daniela Ligiero, GSG Chair
    • Sandie Taylor, GSG Vice-Chair for Finance and Administration
  • WeProtect Global Alliance
    • Iain Drennan, GSG Principal Vice-Chair
  • World Vision International
    • Bill Forbes
  • Global Survivors Advocacy Group (SAGE) representatives to the GSG o
    • Rosalia Rivera
    • Professor S Caroline Taylor
    • Brisa De Angulo, Esq.
    • Sarah Cooper
    • Florence Keya
  • Movement Action Team
    • Dr. Kathleen Cravero, GSG Community Manager
    • Dr. Paul Zeitz, Movement Executive Coordinator (interim)

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT THE BRAVE MOVEMENT

The Brave Movement is a new powerful and global survivor-centered movement that welcomes all allies in our mission to end childhood sexual violence. Supported by a $10M grant from the Oak Foundation to Together for Girls, this movement is gearing up to become a powerful global force for change.

CONTACT THE BRAVE NEWSROOM

If you are a journalist or media outlet seeking further information about the Brave Movement, please contact our Brave Newsroom: press@bravemovement.org

Our Brave Newsroom supports the movement by disseminating survivor calls for action, recruiting advocates, and galvanizing supporters all over the world to end childhood sexual violence.

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