Today, Tuesday 4th November 2025, Safe-Child Advocacy (SCA) hosted a powerful Prevention and Safeguarding Workshop led by a dedicated team from Germany. The event brought together members from all three centers of SCA, Osnabrück Volunteer in Ghana, and guests from the Department of Clinical Psychology at KNUST, fostering a rich exchange of ideas, experiences, and strategies for protecting children and vulnerable individuals.
Sr. Olivia Umoh, DC, Director of SCA, opened the workshop with a heartfelt welcome, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals.
“Safeguarding is not just a policy—it is a moral responsibility we all share,” she stated.
Fr. Anthony Abban, a member of Caritas Ghana who was the MC for the event, introduced the facilitator and acknowledged the diverse group of participants committed to child protection.
Kirsten Ludwig, a social worker and pastoral coordinator from Germany, led the main presentation on identifying safe spaces for children. Drawing from popular psychological frameworks, she challenged participants to reflect on how cultural norms and language shape perceptions of safety.
“A safe space is not just a location—it’s a mindset, a culture, and a commitment,” Kirsten explained.
Phrases like “What happens in Las Vegas stays in Vegas” and “Be your own chairperson” sparked discussion on the boundaries of confidentiality, autonomy, and emotional safety.
Participants shared their expectations, including:
- Gaining deeper understanding of safeguarding practices
- Exploring causes, risks, and consequences of abuse
- Learning how safeguarding is implemented in Ghana
Kirsten introduced the Swiss Cheese Model to illustrate how layered safeguards can prevent harm. She encouraged participants to speak up against oppression and to be “culturally acceptably critical” when challenging authority.
“It is our responsibility to speak to those in authority who are oppressing the weak,” she urged.
She also emphasized Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, reminding participants that prevention begins with meeting basic human needs—physiological, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.
The workshop offered practical guidance:
- Teach children to say “NO” confidently and respectfully
- Avoid asking questions that don’t allow for refusal (e.g., “Would you like to brush your teeth?” vs. “It’s time to brush your teeth”)
- Social workers should position themselves physically at a child’s level to foster trust and accessibility
“Don’t ask a question if there’s no room for a ‘no’—that’s not choice, that’s control,” Kirsten noted.
The session explored the complexities of sexualized violence, emphasizing that abuse can occur through inappropriate speech, not just physical acts. Kirsten used the “Tea and Consent” video to illustrate the nuances of consent, reinforcing that:
“No means no. Not sure means no. A yes from last week is not a yes today.”
She outlined how perpetrators often manipulate through:
- Authority
- Privilege
- Reinterpretation
- Secrecy
- Conspiracy
Victims may experience:
- Dependence
- Confusion
- Silence
- Guilt
“Abuse thrives in silence. Our job is to break that silence with compassion and courage,” one participant reflected.
The workshop concluded with a call to action: safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Participants left empowered to apply these principles in their homes, institutions, and daily interactions.
“I now understand that safeguarding is not just about protection—it’s about empowerment,” A participant shared.
Safe-Child Advocacy remains committed to creating safe, nurturing environments for children and vulnerable individuals. Together, we can build a future rooted in dignity, protection, and hope.
Photos of the workshop are attached below:
