International Awards Program Commits $50,000 to Combat Child Exploitation and Abuse

DUBLIN, Calif. - Jan. 7, 2016 - PRLog -- World of Children Award, headquartered in Dublin, California, has issued an open call for nominations for a new Child Protection Award to be given in October 2016. The Protection Award will recognize, fund, and support an individual who has made significant contributions to children through anti-trafficking and anti-slavery intervention, rescue and rehabilitation, or protection from abuse. The Award comes with a minimum cash grant of $50,000 and in-kind strategic support tailored to the winning organization’s needs.

“Nobody really knows the full extent of trafficking in children around the world. It is conducted ‘in the dark’ but often involves the tacit or even explicit support of officials in police forces, corporations, and governments. Additionally, many millions more children around the world live in indentured servitude or slavery,” explains Harry Leibowitz, Co-Founder of World of Children Award. “It is time to bring this terrible issue into the light and put serious philanthropic and political will behind rescue and rehabilitation of victims and complete abolishment of practices that continue to rob children of freedom, health, happiness and sometimes even their lives. This new award represents a strong commitment by our organization – one we hope many others will follow.”

Leibowitz and the organization’s Board of Directors believe the new Award is an important step in ensuring the organization is focusing on the most pressing issues currently facing children around the world. In addition to actively soliciting nominations for the new Award, World of Children will work to raise awareness of these issues throughout the year, starting with a digital media campaign throughout January, which is Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the United States.

Awards from World of Children provide funding and in-kind support to visionary leaders who lead sustainable, high-impact programs for children anywhere in the world. Nominations for the Child Protection Award and 4 other award categories – Health, Humanitarian, Education, and Youth – are being accepted through an online platform until April 1, 2016.