Childhood USA

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Childhood USA We turn awareness into activism to build a world where children are safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. Established in 1999 by HM Queen Silvia of Sweden.

We are committed to propelling the right conversations to the forefront of public conscience. We are committed to propelling the right conversations to the forefront of public conscience to unite with both individuals and organizations who share our mission to craft a safer society.
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Established in 1999 by HM Queen Silvia of Sweden.

Meta will pay roughly $18 billion to 48 states and change how Instagram and Facebook work for kids. It is the largest se...
08/26/2026

Meta will pay roughly $18 billion to 48 states and change how Instagram and Facebook work for kids. It is the largest settlement with a tech company in history, and it confirms what child protection advocates have said for years: these platforms were built to keep kids scrolling, and children paid the price.

We welcome it. We are also clear about what it is not. Time limits and night mode do not stop the grooming, sextortion, sexual abuse and exploitation that reach children through these same apps.

What comes next matters more than today’s headlines. States must direct these funds to child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support. Congress must pass legislation that puts children ahead of engagement metrics, so protection never again depends on a lawsuit.

Every child deserves a childhood free from sexual abuse and exploitation, online and off. Today is progress. Tomorrow is the work.

Emergency rooms are often the only point of contact between trafficked children and the systems meant to protect them. B...
07/29/2026

Emergency rooms are often the only point of contact between trafficked children and the systems meant to protect them. But only if someone knows what to look for.

That’s why we’re proud to support Baylor College of Medicine’s work strengthening how healthcare systems identify young people experiencing trafficking and exploitation.

In the past year, their team has:
🔹 Trained approximately 300 ER nurses to recognize and respond to trafficking
🔹 Built validated screening tools into Epic medical records
🔹 Created referral pathways to medical, legal, and advocacy services

Their screening workflows are now being shared with hospitals nationwide, helping identify victims sooner and connect them with lifesaving care.

No child at risk should pass through an emergency room unseen. 💙

📢 New Op-Ed Published!We’re proud to share that our Executive Director, Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., has a powerful new op-ed ...
06/26/2026

📢 New Op-Ed Published!

We’re proud to share that our Executive Director, Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., has a powerful new op-ed published in CommonWealth Beacon, calling on Massachusetts to take urgent action to criminalize AI-generated child sexual abuse material and strengthen protections for children in the digital age.

As AI rapidly evolves, our laws must keep pace. Drawing on findings from the 2025 Out of the Shadows Index, funded by Childhood USA, Dr. Pulido highlights why Massachusetts has an opportunity to close critical policy gaps and better protect children from online sexual exploitation.

But Massachusetts is just one part of the story.

The Out of the Shadows Index evaluates all 50 states on how well they are preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and exploitation, providing a roadmap for policymakers, advocates, and communities to strengthen child protection nationwide.

➡️ Read Dr. Pulido’s op-ed at the link in our bio.
➡️ Explore the Out of the Shadows Index to see how your state is performing and where action is needed most. [link in bio]

Happy Birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine!
Today, we celebrate your extraordinary leadership as Deputy Hon...
06/11/2026

Happy Birthday to Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine!

Today, we celebrate your extraordinary leadership as Deputy Honorary Chair of World Childhood Foundation and your steadfast commitment to ending child sexual abuse and exploitation and ensuring every child has the right to a safe and happy childhood.

Your voice has helped shine a light on one of the world’s most urgent issues, reminding us that prevention is possible, protection is possible, and change is possible when we invest in the right solutions.

Thank you for inspiring us all to stand with children and build a safer world.

We wish you a wonderful birthday and a year filled with joy, impact, and continued success. Grattis på födelsedagen!
 

Here’s a shorter Instagram-friendly version:We’re proud to announce that Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., Executive Director of Ch...
05/21/2026

Here’s a shorter Instagram-friendly version:

We’re proud to announce that Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., Executive Director of Childhood USA, will deliver the Keynote & Opening Plenary at APSAC’s 33rd Colloquium in New Orleans on June 15 🌟

Joining Dr. Pulido are Jim Cole and Lauren Book for an important conversation about the new U.S. Out of the Shadows Index report and the urgent need to better protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

As a proud sponsor of APSAC’s 33rd Colloquium, Childhood USA is honored to support this critical gathering of leaders and advocates working to create safer futures for children.

Meet the speakers + register at the link in bio.

We had the opportunity to visit Safe Horizon, the largest victim services nonprofit organization in the United States se...
05/14/2026

We had the opportunity to visit Safe Horizon, the largest victim services nonprofit organization in the United States serving victims of abuse and violent crime across New York City’s five boroughs.

This week, Lais Peretto, Executive Director of Childhood Brasil, joined Childhood USA’s Director of Programs Janet Purtell O’Connell, MSW, LSW and Development Associate Cathy Jolly in visiting two Child Advocacy Centers in Manhattan and Brooklyn, as well as Safe Horizon’s new hub in Brooklyn.

We are deeply grateful to Safe Horizon for generously sharing their lead role in the Child Advocacy Center model and expertise with Laís as she works toward bringing this important model to Brazil. Their commitment to protecting children and supporting survivors across NYC is truly inspiring.

Thank you, Safe Horizon, for your leadership, partnership, and incredible work on behalf of children and families.

Save the Date ✨ World Childhood Foundation USA’s Annual Gala ✨ November 19, NYCPlease join us for an unforgettable eveni...
05/13/2026

Save the Date ✨ World Childhood Foundation USA’s Annual Gala ✨ November 19, NYC

Please join us for an unforgettable evening at our Annual Gala in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine.

Limited-time preferred pricing is available through May 31. Secure your seat or table today and be part of a powerful night dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation and building a safer future.

Your early commitment helps expand our impact. Together, we can create a safer world for children. ✨

When 📅 Thursday, November 19
Where📍 583 Park Avenue, New York City
Tickets 🔗 childhood-usa.org/gala

04/30/2026

One in four girls and one in seven boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Most often, it’s perpetrated by someone they know and trust.

Today, many grooming behaviors begin in digital spaces children use every day.
Gaming.�DMs.�Private chats.�These environments can create opportunities for manipulation and exploitation.

Silence is the predator’s greatest protection. Awareness is ours.

One of the most powerful prevention tools is open, ongoing conversation. Swipe through for questions every parent and caregiver should be asking their children about their online lives.

Join our mission at childhood-usa.org

We’re proud to support Zero Abuse Project’s “Child Abuse Prevention Through Online Safety,” one of our 2026 grantee init...
04/30/2026

We’re proud to support Zero Abuse Project’s “Child Abuse Prevention Through Online Safety,” one of our 2026 grantee initiatives working to strengthen child protection in Minnesota.

Through its Expanding Child Abuse Prevention (E-CAP) program, Zero Abuse Project helps bring school-based prevention education to communities across the state. With our support, the program will now expand and adapt this work within faith-based communities.

By equipping educators, caregivers, and community leaders with the tools to recognize warning signs, prevent abuse, and respond safely to disclosures, this initiative is helping build stronger networks of protection around children.

Prevention starts with informed communities, and we’re honored to support partners working to make that possible.

Read more about our grantees’ important work: https://www.childhood-usa.org/2026-projects-we-support/

One in four girls and one in seven boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Most often, it’s perpetrated ...
04/27/2026

One in four girls and one in seven boys will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. Most often, it’s perpetrated by someone they know and trust.

Today, many grooming behaviors begin in digital spaces children use every day.

Silence is the predator’s greatest protection. Awareness is ours.

One of the most powerful prevention tools is open, ongoing conversation. Swipe through for questions every parent and caregiver should be asking their children about their online lives.

Join our mission at childhood-usa.org

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