At CRS, protecting children and vulnerable adults from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Consistent with our Catholic values to uphold the dignity of all human life and promote both charity and justice, CRS works to mainstream protection activities in all countries and programs where we work. We strive to strengthen family life, ensure impartial access to support (for example, to health and education for both women and girls as well as men and boys), eliminate child labor and trafficking, and increase legal protection around issues of property rights, inheritance and security. 

In 2014, CRS implemented one of the most wide-reaching protection policies of any international organization in the world. It includes a contractual agreement by all staff to receive training and be held accountable to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, including physical or psychological abuse and exploitation. It also requires staff to report incidences of abuse when they observe or hear about a suspected case, and to assist with recovery via referral and other follow-up actions. Beginning in 2016, CRS will start to ask partner organizations to follow suit with their own policies and standards of protection – thus extending our care and support even farther.

CRS ensures that children and vulnerable adults are at the center of all interventions that affect them. Our programming works through local and national protection systems, both at the formal government level and through traditional structures, to strengthen the capacity of local child protection committees, promoting good governance and peacebuilding. It’s designed to provide a safe environment that is free of threats to human development and growth. 

Cultivating just and peaceful societies is a central part of CRS’ mission, and a priority goal area under our Vision 2030 strategic framework. As much of our work takes place in fragile and conflict-affected countries, we emphasize systematic and deliberate integration of social cohesion and justice approaches across all program sectors. This helps to ensure that we and our local partners consistently reinforce the healthy social relationships and just institutions that support sustainable peace while protecting the most vulnerable.

CRS’ justice and peacebuilding programming strengthens relationships across diverse, often divided groups while also transforming relations between people and the state, market, and traditional authorities to uphold the dignity and wellbeing of each and every person. Working to change institutions while also improving relationships responds directly to the social injustices that often drive violent conflict. CRS and our partners work to prevent violence whenever possible; where violence has already erupted, we mitigate, resolve and transform conflict by strengthening local institutions and indigenous mechanisms for dialogue and reconciliation.

Explore the regions where CRS is transforming lives through your generosity. From Africa to Latin America, discover stories of hope and resilience across the globe.