Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood, free from the threat of abuse and exploitation. Yet, millions of children worldwide face unimaginable harm, often in silence. The World Childhood Foundation USA (Childhood USA), founded in 1999 by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, is dedicated to safeguarding children’s rights and ensuring they have a safe and loving childhood. The organization’s mission is to inspire, promote, and develop solutions to end sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence against children. Over the past 25 years, Childhood USA has supported over 90,000 children and their families in the United States through innovative grassroots programs and global advocacy initiatives, working tirelessly to create a world where every child can thrive without fear.
Core Focus Areas
Childhood USA concentrates its efforts on three primary areas:
- Child Supportive Environments & Relationships: Creating safe and nurturing spaces where children can thrive.
- Child Safety Online: Addressing the challenges of the digital age by promoting safe internet practices and protecting children from online exploitation.
- Child-Focused Response to Abuse: Developing effective strategies to respond to and prevent child abuse, ensuring that affected children receive the necessary support and care.
The mission of these focus areas is creating a world where every child can grow up free from harm.
Resources and Initiatives
Childhood USA offers various resources and programs to support its mission, including:
Propose a Program
The organization invites innovative, grassroots programs that prevent and address child sexual abuse, exploitation, and violence within the United States to apply for funding. Eligible projects should target child victims, families at risk, children in alternative care, or street children. Priority is given to preventive measures, new models, and innovative approaches.
Out of the Shadows Index
Sponsored by Childhood USA and developed by Economist Impact, this report evaluates how different states in the U.S. are addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse, both online and offline. It serves as a tool to uncover state actions and inactions, providing insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
2025 Supported Projects
In 2025, Childhood USA is supporting several noteworthy projects aimed at preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation. These include but are not limited to:
Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas – Building Public Will to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse in Texas: This initiative focuses on raising public awareness and fostering community engagement to prevent child sexual abuse across Texas.
Massachusetts Citizens for Children – Enough Abuse Campaign: A campaign designed to educate and mobilize communities in Massachusetts to prevent child sexual abuse through public education and policy advocacy.
The Safe Center LI – Safe Kids Initiative: An initiative aimed at providing comprehensive services to child victims of abuse in Long Island, including counseling, advocacy, and prevention education.
Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Program: This program offers prevention education and resources to children, parents, and professionals in Chicago to identify and prevent child sexual abuse.
San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center – Talking with Children About Safety from Sexual Abuse: A project that equips parents and caregivers in San Francisco with the tools and knowledge to have open conversations with children about sexual abuse prevention.
These projects support community-based initiatives that address child sexual abuse and exploitation across the United States. The World Childhood Foundation USA endorses these projects for continuing to work towards a future where every child can enjoy a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and exploitation. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to World Childhood Foundation USA.