Winners of the 2022 International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) Violence Against Children Reporting Contest shone a light on sexual abuse of children by priests in Colombia, corporal punishment in Kenya, and child sex trafficking on the internet in the Philippines.

The Violence Against Children Reporting Contest was part of a partnership between ICFJ and the World Health Organization (WHO) designed to increase the quality and quantity of news coverage on violence against children around the world.

A distinguished panel of judges from ICFJ and its partners received 50 entries and selected winners from three WHO priority countries – Colombia, Kenya and the Philippines. The first-place winners will receive a prize of USD$1,000, the second-place - USD$750, and the third-place - USD$500.

WHO and ICFJ developed a media guide about proper solutions-oriented reporting on violence against children that the reporting contest entrants were encouraged to adhere to closely.

“Reporting on violence against children is critically important, and it requires great care and professionalism,” said Aliza Appelbaum, ICFJ’s deputy vice president of programs. “The winning entries shed light on this under-reported topic, with coverage that is careful, human-centric and solutions-oriented.” 

Colombia 

1^st place - The dark archive of the Church of Medellín by Juan Barrientos 

Kenya 

1^st place - Corporal trauma documentary by Ian Wafula  

2^nd place - Child maltreatment documentary by Sharon Baranga 

3^rd place - "Away with ARVs; I just want to die" by Leon Lidigu 

Philippines 

1^st place - "The Philippines is Unprepared to Meet the Challenge of Child Sex Trafficking Online" by Lorela Sandoval 

2^nd place - "Healing a moral disgrace" by Paul M. Icamina 

3^rd place - Authorities see challenges, opportunities in fight vs. sex crimes (Part One and Part Two) by Nef Luczon