Plan Benin uses mobile phones to help children report violence

Plan Benin is providing access to new tools such as mobile phones to help children report violence in their communities. Plan works in close partnership with the Ministry for Family and the Centre for Social Protection.

Messages are sent to a website which maps cases of violence

Plan has been running pilot workshops in Natitingou and Couffo Departments to train children on how to use new technologies to report any violence incidents that they witness. So far 24 young people have been introduced to the new technologies and will now train others.

Children, or anyone that experiences or witnesses violence, can send a text message from their mobile phone to an application called FLSMS (frontline SMS) which is connected to the website of Plan partner Ushahidi. The website then maps cases of violence in the area.

Measuring violence and raising awareness

The aim is to collect data about incidences of violence and measure the magnitude of violence, stimulate the reflex to denounce violence and respond to cases with support from government and/or local partners.

Plan's trainer explaining how the system works

Children can also e-mail to the website, and even send audio or video clips. (Youths were trained how to use low cost video cameras and audio recorders). In this way they can highlight experiences of violence in their communities, and raise awareness.

This initiative is part of a regional 'Violence Against Children' project currently implemented in 7 West African countries in partnership with Save the Children. It aims to stamp out violence against children by engaging children and youth to take action. It trains young people how to actively and effectively advocate for an end to violence in their communities and beyond.

 Making it easier for children to speak out

Very few acts of violence against children get reported in the region. It is hoped that the new technologies will make it easier for children to speak out. Text messaging, for example, is especially anonymous, accessible and fast and, with young people's growing access to mobile phones, an efficient option.

The statistics gathered will be an essential source of information for youth groups, Plan and partners when advocating for change. The website will be carefully monitored by a trained administrator, who will verify each case. The administrator will ensure that children who report abuse are referred to appropriate support by the relevant institution. 

Plan’s training team has committed to mobilising other agencies with a mission to protect children, including ministries, non-governmental organisations and other partners. The goal is that the system eventually be managed by national authorities.