Who We Are

Building knowledge, capacity and a culture of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults across Africa.

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OUR ORIGIN

Strengthening Safeguarding Across Africa

The Jesuit Centre for Safeguarding in Africa (JCSA) was established at Hekima University College in Nairobi to coordinate teaching and research activities in Anglophone and Francophone Africa (the latter through L’Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus [ITCJ]) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Nairobi

Hekima University College

Anglophone Africa

Abidjan, Ivory Coast

ITCJ

Francophone Africa

THE AFRICAN CONTEXT

Understanding the Context

Safeguarding in Africa requires an understanding of the realities that shape vulnerability.
The scale of child abuse is high, although this fact is not unique to the African continent. However, some challenges predispose some communities in Africa more than others to circumstances that result in high rates of child abuse. Generally, there are multiple factors, often operating together, that drive the abuse of children. Cultural practices, socio-economic challenges and war are some of the biggest factors.

01

Cultural Practices

Certain practices are accepted within communities, and a wider culture of silence can make abuse difficult to name.

02

Socio-economic Challenges

Social and economic pressures can leave some communities more exposed to circumstances that lead to abuse.

03

Conflict & War

War and conflict are among the major factors that put children at risk of abuse.

Safeguarding responses must therefore be contextually informed, culturally sensitive and rooted in prevention, protection and participation.

OUR JOURNEY

From Vision to Action

2021

The Centre becomes operational.

Launch

Official launch at Hekima University College, bringing together religious and laypersons.

Ongoing

Seminars and short courses on Child Protection and Safeguarding for religious and laypersons.

Looking ahead

Serving the wider Church in Africa, beyond the Society of Jesus.

JCSA Centre Launch

THE LAUNCH

A Centre Built for Collaboration

The launch brought together religious and laypersons to witness the milestones the Jesuits in Africa have made in enabling safe spaces within the African continent.

Children and Vulnerable Adults have a voice and are protected from all forms of abuse.

The Centre has been operational since 2021 and has facilitated numerous seminars and short courses on Child & vulnerable adults Protection and Safeguarding to both Jesuits and laypersons.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING

Ribbon-cutting and blessing

The then JCAM President Fr. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, SJ, officiated the launch, officially opening the Centre in a ribbon-cutting event. He also blessed the premises.

JCSA Centre Launch
Certificate award

THE FIRST LEARNERS

Learning from the Beginning

During the opening of the Centre, the first group of students at the Centre were also awarded certificates after the completion of their courses.

Training is central to JCSA’s mission.

WHY THE CENTRE WAS CREATED

Building a Consistent Culture of Protection and Safety

The creation of this Centre was inspired by the resolutions of the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus (2016), which mandated Father General Arturo Sosa and all Jesuits to keep working with Major Superiors and Conferences on safeguarding within the communities and ministries of the Society.

…to promote, within the communities and ministries of the Society, a consistent culture of protection and safety for minors.

Excerpt from the resolution, in keeping with the Congregation’s suggestions regarding formation, community life, ministries and governance.

36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus ~ 2016

CHURCH TEACHING

Protecting Those Who Are Most Vulnerable

Further inspiration came from Pope Francis’ 2016 Motu Proprio “As a loving mother”, which emphasises the role of the Church in child safeguarding.

  • The Church has a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults.
  • Special care is owed to those who are smallest and most defenseless.
  • Safeguarding is a responsibility of the whole Church.

“…this duty of care and protection devolves upon the whole Church.”

Pope Francis, As a loving mother (2016)

36th General Congregation

Society of Jesus · 2016

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“As a Loving Mother”

Pope Francis · Motu Proprio · 2016

A stronger culture of protection and safety

THE AFRICAN SAFEGUARDING CHALLENGE

Safeguarding Must Be Understood in Context

In the African context, safeguarding as a general concept is embraced, but a comprehensive understanding of what it entails is generally limited, and there is little consistency in what it is considered to be. There are also strong sentiments that safeguarding is a “rights agenda” or a “western agenda”.
From experience, the underlying issue is a cultural question: certain practices are accepted, and a broader culture of silence means communities, parents and caregivers do not openly discuss sexuality, while acknowledging and talking about abuse is considered shameful and stigmatizing. This impedes safeguarding environments, and unless conscientization happens at a wider level, meaningful change cannot take place in the Church and community.

Context matters. Culture matters. Understanding matters. Capacity matters.

01

Culture

Certain practices are accepted, which can normalize harmful behaviour.

02

Awareness

Understanding of what safeguarding entails is often limited and inconsistent.

03

Conversation

Silence around sexuality and abuse makes open discussion difficult.

04

Capacity

There is a shortage of appropriate safeguarding training and resources for the African context.

Meaningful safeguarding requires:

  • Culturally relevant training
  • Open conversation
  • Contextual understanding
  • Sustained capacity building

A CENTRE FOR THE CHURCH IN AFRICA

Bridging the Gap

The Centre was started with the aim of bridging the gap in training and conducting research to further inform the subject.

The Centre is also at the service of the Church in Africa, as it will not limit itself to serving the Society of Jesus.

Serving the Church in Africa

OUR TRAINING APPROACH

Comprehensive, Multidisciplinary Training

The training offered by the Centre is designed to be comprehensive in the content and skills it seeks to impart. It is therefore taught in a multidisciplinary method comprising theology, anthropology, psychology and legal dimensions.

THEOLOGY

Understanding safeguarding within faith, formation and Church contexts.

ANTHROPOLOGY

Understanding culture, community and human behaviour.

PSYCHOLOGY

Understanding trauma, vulnerability, development and wellbeing.

LAW

Understanding legal responsibilities, rights, protection and accountability.

Four disciplines, one integrated approach to safeguarding.

CONNECTING PROFESSIONALS

Learning Together Through a Community of Practice

The Centre is also designed to host a virtual Community of Practice for safeguarding professionals working in and with the Church in Africa.
This way, JCSA will hopefully grow skills and greater understanding of safeguarding in the African context.
Join the Community of Practice

Connection

Shared learning

Professional exchange

Contextual knowledge

Greater understanding

Collaboration

OUR ROLE

Research. Training. Collaboration.

Research

Generating knowledge to further inform safeguarding in Africa.

Training

Building knowledge and practical capacity.

Collaboration

Connecting Jesuits, laypersons, safeguarding professionals and the wider Church.

OUR COMMITMENT

Building a Culture of Safeguarding

JCSA exists to strengthen understanding, training and research so that safeguarding can take root in the realities of the African context and contribute to safer communities where children and vulnerable adults are heard, respected and protected.

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Be Part of the Safeguarding Journey

Strengthening safeguarding requires knowledge, collaboration and sustained commitment.
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