Why Is There A Need For Child Advocacy?

Children are Vulnerable

Children have neither the vote nor the ability to influence political, social or economic change.
Lack of power renders them vulnerable when rights are being violated.
Children are not recognized as citizens with equal human rights and civil rights as adults; there is significant resistance to offering legislation and policies that would give civil rights to children; adults make these determinations.
Children have less access to independent advice or advocacy than adults.
Children are less likely than adults to be listened to when they have a complaint or seek redress against violations of rights.
Traditional views of children as the property of their parents persists and interference by the state (government) on their behalf is construed as a violation of parental rights.

To ensure that those children who are affected by important decisions made on their behalf have a voice the process, the right to be heard;
To provide children with the opportunity to learn to be responsible decision makers;
To empower children to complain about abuse or voice concerns about the care they are receiving in institutions (residences, group homes, foster homes.etc.)
Special situations require third party scrutiny;
To offer a focal point from the perspective of the child in complex case situations that cross many agencies and service sectors.