New Pact on Child Abuse
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (23-4-2026) -- The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and Kids Alive International have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU under a new pact aimed at strengthening the fight against child sexual violence in Zambia.
NPA Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Gilbert A Phiri, SC, said the new pact on child abuse establishes a coordinated framework to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children, strengthen prosecution capacity, and improve support services for victims and witnesses.
He expressed concern over the growing use of digital platforms by offenders to groom and exploit children, noting that technology has created new challenges in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes.
Mr Phiri said the scale of the problem remains significant, with thousands of cases reported annually, while many more go unreported due to stigma and fear.
He said children continue to face barriers in accessing justice, including weak reporting systems, lack of child-friendly court environments, and limited psychosocial support services.
He noted that the has introduced reforms such as specialised handling of child-related cases, prosecutorial guidelines on gender-based violence, witness support services, and ICT-enabled court processes to reduce trauma during testimony.
He said the partnership with will enhance coordination in case management, strengthen psychosocial support including counselling and rehabilitation, and improve structured referrals and information sharing.
He added that the MoU will also support capacity building for justice sector actors and promote the development of child-friendly spaces within selected prosecution offices.
Mr Phiri said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to protecting children and improving the effectiveness of the justice system in handling sexual violence cases.
He called for continued collaboration among justice institutions and stakeholders, stressing that safeguarding children requires a coordinated and child-centred response.
Kids Alive International Chief Operations Officer, Rachel Davidson, said the new pact represents a major step in strengthening Zambia’s child protection and justice systems through integrated legal and psychosocial support.
Ms Davidson said the partnership will ensure that child survivors receive not only legal redress but also structured care, counselling and recovery support throughout the justice process.
She said Zambia’s approach is emerging as a leading model in Africa, describing it as a progressive system that integrates justice delivery with child care and recovery services.
Ms Davidson said the initiative is strengthening coordination between institutions by equipping prosecutors and service providers with shared skills and improving collaboration across legal and social welfare systems.
She added that the establishment of child-friendly spaces will reduce trauma by providing safe and supportive environments for children giving evidence.
Ms Davidson said Kids Alive International is committed to helping children transition from trauma to recovery through prevention, intervention and restoration programmes tailored to individual needs.
“When justice systems are combined with compassionate care, children are more likely to heal, regain dignity, and rebuild confidence in their future,” she said.
She further noted that integrated systems improve accountability and long-term outcomes, adding that international experience shows coordinated approaches enhance case management and reduce secondary victimisation.
Ms Davidson said Zambia’s model demonstrates how justice systems can be strengthened when legal, social and therapeutic services work together to create more effective and child-centred responses to sexual violence.
She expressed confidence that the partnership will lead to stronger protection outcomes and a more responsive justice system for children.
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