Spotlight on a member of Global Safeguarding Alliance

Sr Rejoice Enyonam Hoedoafia, PhD

We'd like to introduce you to Sr Rejoice whose and compassion and sense of justice drives her advocacy for safeguarding children. She has worked with people involved with the Church in training and capacity building, and contributes to research initiatives of the Global Safeguarding Alliance. Sr Rejoice has been a member of the safeguarding committee of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale in Ghana since 2000 and presented at the International Safeguarding Conference in Rome in 2023 and 2024. Meeting people who have experienced traumatic situations, particularly abuse, challenged her to work for the protection of children and to advocate for social systems and safe environments for young people to thrive.

Here are a few reflections from Sr Rejoice.

What is your role?

I am the acting Safeguarding Officer for the Archdiocese of Tamale in Ghana. I am also in charge of managing and training priests, religious leaders, seminarians and laity of the Archdiocese in safeguarding capacity building and in prevention of child abuse and in creating safe spaces in our institutions and parishes. In another role, I deliver a course in safeguarding to third year Seminarians at the St Victor's Major Seminary.

What are you most proud of?

In my own small way, I manage to raise awareness about safeguarding issues and help to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge to identify, report and address concerns effectively. I am sowing seeds of safeguarding, and praying and hoping for a society and culture where safeguarding is prioritised and normalised.

My involvement in research helps me to implement research findings into action through my training in safeguarding competencies. This practical application is part of a bigger picture where our efforts in Ghana to build a safeguarding culture through a sustainable framework for safeguarding can be a model for other countries in Africa.

What's the best thing about being a part of the Global Safeguarding Alliance?

I get to connect with experts from across the world who have deep respect for diversity. From them, I learn about different dimensions of safeguarding issues in different contexts. They show how important it is to have an open mind and a clear lens that is open to knowledge.

What accomplishment would you like to highlight since being a part of the Global Safeguarding Alliance?

Assisting my diocese and other religious institution to develop guidelines and safeguarding policies. Raising awareness through workshops and training within schools, and to youth groups, clergy, seminarians, religious leaders, parents, teachers and nurses. Collecting data for GSA research into safeguarding capabilities. And not least, offering trauma informed care (informed by psychological knowledge) to victims of abuse and others.

What inspired you to focus on research or practice related to safeguarding children?

I was fascinated by trauma and wanted to understand it, it's consequences and how to manage its effect. This led me to research in safeguarding where I did my doctoral thesis on intrafamilial abuse and its impact on the wellbeing of survivors. This passion further deepened when I first encountered a victim of sexual abuse that sparked my sense of compassion, empathy and justice. I was inspired to stand up for victims and to be a voice for survivors, to support them and accompany them.

What is the toughest challenge you've had at work?

When it comes to safeguarding, it is especially challenging to support victims of abuse. Sometimes, after initiating request for support and reporting it to appropriate authorities, victims might retract or chose to drop the case before it proceeds in a court. Their reasons might be to protect the family name, to avoid feeling shame or to avoid the repercussions of a culture that blames the victim. It is especially hard when a victim chooses to compromise because of their basic safety needs and the need to belong.

What advice would you give someone just starting their career in safeguarding?

My advice is to approach a career in safeguarding with a victim/child-focused approach. Remember, it is always for the good of a person and it's not about you and your ego. I recommend that you keep up to date with current research so that you are learn about better approaches to safeguarding and prevention. Stay in touch with other experts and researchers who are committed to creating safe environments through research, advocacy training and the care of survivors. Connect with professionals to build a network. Remember to take care of yourself because you cannot do it all on your own.