AFRUCA (Africans Unite Against Child Abuse) is a UK charity, established in 2001 as a Company Limited by Guarantee by Debbie Ariyo OBE, for the rights and welfare of African Children. AFRUCA was set up in response to the deaths of African children in the UK such as Damilola Taylor, Jude Akapa, and Victoria Climbie who suffered abuse. AFRUCA is an international Chairty with two UK offices in London and Manchester and the AFRUCA Foundation for the Protection of the Rights of the Vulnerable Children in Nigeria. AFRUCA also has projects running in Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford from AFRUCA Centre for African Children and families in Manchester. AFRUCA also rely heavily upon The 1989 United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child to form the basis of their work.
AFRUCA's mission is to promote the rights and welfare of African children.
AFRUCA’s vision is to see a world in which African Children can live free of cruelty and abuse at the hands of others.
Aims and objectives
Raise the profile of African children in the UK, and create awareness of their needs in ways that promote a positive climate for change.Ensure that children are aware of the risks of abuse, know their rights, and have skills to protect themselves.Promote positive parenting among African parents and others who care for children.Increase the understanding of service providers and those with leadership roles in relation to African communities about the risks of abuse to African children, and promote the development of appropriate services, practices, and support to African families.Influence the development of policy and regulatory action in ways that will safeguard African children.Develop the leadership potential of young Africans.AFRUCA has five areas they state as their main areas of work:
- Awareness raising and sensitization
- Information, education, and advisory services
- Advocacy and policy development
- Community and international development
- Victim and Family Support
Community Volunteering Project – London and South of England Safeguarding Children from Witchcraft Branding Policy ProjectSafeguarding Child Victims of Trafficking Across London and the South of England Working with Faith Organisations to Safeguard African ChildrenExpert Assessments and Reports in Immigration casesFamily Support ProgrammeThe Dove Project – Supporting Families Affected by Witchcraft Branding in NewhamAFRUCA Foundation for the Protection of the Rights of Vulnerable Children in Nigeria Project focuses on improving the environment for children in Nigerian through the following areas:Trafficking in children within and across bordersChild slavery as plantation workers, camel minders, and mine workersChild domestic servitudeUse of children as soldiersSexual AbuseSexual exploitationStreet Children/Aids OrphansSocio-cultural traditional practices that impact negatively on childrenBBC: We Must Change Witch PracticesBBC: Religious Show TV Miracle Hour “Puts Lives At Risk”Department for Education: Safeguarding Children From Abuse Linked to Faith or BeliefGuardian: This Care System is Creating “Written Off Children”Leadership: Cases of Baby Factories Worry Rights ActivistsSussex News: Detective Inspector Cycles to London to Paris to Raise Money for AFRUCATackle Overrepresentation of African Children in Child Protection System, Government ToldMP Hosts Summit to Tackle Violent Witchcraft AbuseVoice Newspaper: Stateless Children Forced into Lives of Crime and Sex WorkThe Commonwealth: Poverty Fuelling Witchcraft HysteriaGuardian: Slavery Claim Women to Receive Compensation from Metropolitan PoliceVoice Newspaper: African Families Devastated by too Many Children in Care (Trudy SimpsonVoice Newspaper: Breaking the Silence on Child WitchesCommunity Care: African Children in the UK Vulnerable to Exploitation and AbuseVoice Newspaper: Plans to Tackle Witchcraft Based Child Abuse WelcomeTrafficked Nigerian Girls’ Stories: Equality and Human Rights CommissionNew Internationalist: Child Abuse as Cheese SandwichThe Zimbabwean: Child Protection for ParentsAFRUCA Holds 7 Days Activism against Human Trafficking in London and ManchesterGroup tasks government over rising cases of 'baby factories'Over-representation of African children in child protection systemAFRUCA condemns Woolwich killingAFRUCA Wins Best Community Organisation at the African Diaspora AwardsAt What Age Can Children Be Left Home AloneAFRUCA’s Child Protection Training for African ParentsDifference Between Child Labour and Child Abuse?The future of AFRUCAAFRUCA 9th Anniversary VideoAFRUCA Working With Faith Organisations To Safeguard African Children