International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect
MULTIDISCIPLINARY
Complex problems require comprehensive, integrated solutions. Our array of expertise, resources and networks makes working smarter and more effectively possible.
AGILE
Because the world changes rapidly, we must embrace change, opportunity and rise up to the challenges. Using data, we remove the stigma and face the realities. For every child.
DISRUPTIVE
By bringing diversity of thought to conventional thinking, we innovate and maximize the good we can do for children and families in the world. Connecting the dots outside traditional boundaries.
ISPCAN is a global membership organization for anyone working in the protection of child rights. From every discipline and sector, we break down silos across sectors to help find innovative, child centered solutions. Wherever children live, learn and play under the care of adults are opportunities for intervention and prevention.
We connect multi-disciplinary professionals across sectors together, and with data, tools and resources to think differently. We ensure that data informs practice, practice informs research, and that policy development will make lasting, quality improvements in child protection systems. Ultimately our goal is to build better public health systems of care to improve the prevention, detection, and response to child abuse and neglect.
Working together with our members and partners, ISPCAN innovates and accelerates change so that a brighter future for all kids is possible.
Why Join ISPCAN?
Advance your career
Network with global experts in research and practice from all sectors
Ensure Professional Growth
Gain advanced knowledge and training
Reduce Secondary Trauma
Learn skills to work more effectively
Bring Data to Action
Connect the dots using evidence informed public health approach
August 24th - 27th, 2026
Join the Changemakers in Global Innovative Research and Best Practice in Child Protection
- Aug. 23: Pre-congress working groups included
- Aug 24-26 Main Congress
- Aug 27: Rise Up Policy Forum (add on ticket)
- Daily Wellness, welcome reception all included
Rise Up Policy Forum
Creating a new international community of practice for governments, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners: connecting the dots, learning together, and doing better.
- Advance Child Protection Policies: Promote the development and implementation of effective, evidence-based child protection policies grounded in public health principles at local, national, and global levels.
- Foster a Community of Learning: Bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, survivors and youth leaders annually to co-create solutions and exchange best practices.
- Integrate Research and Practice: Encourage alignment of data and research with practical applications to inform shareable data-driven solutions and enhance accountability.
- Catalyze Regional Solutions: Develop context-specific, scalable strategies that address regional challenges and support sustainable, community-led change.
- Resource Maximization and Sector Collaboration: Optimize use of resources and crosssector collaboration to assist governments in child protection prevention and response.
Exciting Developments
Annual Report 2025
We are excited to share that our 2025 Impact Report is now live.
We reflect with pride on a year defined by purpose, collaboration, and progress to end child abuse and neglect. In a time of growing global challenges, ISPCAN remained focused on one central aim: helping countries and professionals strengthen prevention-oriented, integrated systems that respond effectively to the needs of children and families.
Read the full report to learn about our public health approach to child protection, our global convening impact, and educational resources for members.
We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this work possible.
CPP Special Issue Journal – Illuminating the Invisible
NEW! Cutting-Edge Projects from our ISPCAN Child Maltreatment Data Collection Working Group
Valid and reliable data is vital in supporting global monitoring and prevention efforts in ending violence against children. In 1992, the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Working Group on Child Maltreatment Data Collection was founded to provide a forum for researchers and practitioners to discuss challenges encountered in data collection on violence against children.
Over the past 30+ years, the Working Group has allowed for much needed interdisciplinary and cross-country discussion on topics such as the ethics of data collection, development of self-report measures, administrative data linkage and creating minimum datasets for national level monitoring of child abuse and neglect and its prevention, treatments, prosecution and effective management of cases from all sectors. This Special Issue elaborates on current challenges, opportunities and innovation in data collection on violence against children in a global context. We invite all researchers and practitioners who are engaged in data collection, analysis, linkage, management, policy development, and practice use to submit manuscripts.
ISPCAN Uganda 2026
The first regional Rise Up Policy Forum + Huddle will take place in Africa, from 24-26 June 2026 in Kampala, Uganda. The Forum + Huddle will explore the contexts, strengths, challenges and solutions specific to the African region, convening African child protection expertise, promoting strong national child protection systems, and creating a regional dialogue aimed at transforming child protection into a more data-informed, collaborative, and preventive system.
Impactful ISPCAN Webinars
ISPCAN Scientific and Peer Reviewed Journals
Child Protection and Practice
Launched by ISPCAN in 2023 to address gaps in knowledge about outcomes for children and families. We must challenge the norms and share innovative practice from all regions of the world.
Become a Member of our Community of Learning
- Access to the Member Connect Platform
- 20% Discount to ISPCAN Congresses
- Free Member job postings
- Scientific sponsorship for partner events
- Join working groups to advance international guidelines
- 10% Author publication discount in our ISPCAN Journals
- Create grassroots advocacy campaigns with the backing of ISPCAN
More Ways to Get Involved
ISPCAN Knowledge Hub
Did you miss a webinar or want to search for information on any topic? Check out our Knowledge Hub to help practitioners learn more, develop new skills, and find ways to coordinate with others. Many resources are available free to the public.
Advocate with us
Impact of International Policy and Defunding on Child protection
