H.M. Drottningens tal vid World Childhood Foundation USA, 25th Anniversary Dinner

When I founded Childhood, the mission was clear: to give a voice to the most vulnerable in our society— children at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation. For far too long, their voices were ignored and society turned a blind eye. But we refused to stand by. We chose to listen, to act, and to lead.

The challenge was enormous. Child sexual abuse was a subject that many preferred to avoid, yet we understood then, as we do now, that silence only shields the perpetrators. So, we took action. With the unwavering support of our co-founders, who shared our vision of a world where every child enjoys a childhood free from sexual abuse and exploitation, we launched Childhood.

Together with partners and advocates of change, we have spent the past 25 years ensuring that no child’s cry for help goes unheard. In 1999, we were breaking new ground. At that time, few were willing to confront the horrors and consequences of child sexual abuse. Yet, since then, we have invested in over 2,000 projects across 21 countries, impacting the lives of millions of children and their families. And we continue to push boundaries, pioneering new solutions to better safeguard children.

I wish I had the time to share all our projects with you. Some of you in this room have been with us from the beginning, so you know them as well as I do.

Over the past 20 years, we have helped spread the Barnahus model—a safe space where children who have been victims of violence and sexual abuse receive child-friendly, trauma-sensitive support.

Our efforts have also played a crucial role in securing the Protected Listening Law, ensuring that abused children in Brazil are treated with care and dignity.

In the United States, our Out of the Shadows Index has been instrumental in identifying the areas where urgent action is needed to strengthen child protection responses. This index has become a powerful catalyst for change and a cornerstone of our advocacy work.

However, protecting children also means preventing abuse before it occurs. That is why we have invested in initiatives like Prevent It, an online therapy programme which reaches potential offenders and helps stop them from harming children. We know that abuse can be prevented, and we are proud to be leaders in the field of perpetration prevention.

At Childhood, we have always believed in the strength of partnerships. Through our shared commitment, we have pioneered groundbreaking solutions, from technology-driven interventions to research that reveals the most effective ways to protect children.

Still, our work is far from over. We cannot stop until every child is safe.

As we celebrate 25 years of progress this year, we renew our commitment to this fight. With courage and determination, we will continue driving change. Together, we will ensure that every child can grow up in a world free from child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Thank you.