As the global community prepares for the first Global Ministerial on Ending Violence Against Children, governments are faced with a rare opportunity to rewrite the future for millions affected by childhood sexual violence). Yet, far too often, policies aimed at combating childhood violence are crafted in echo chambers—detached from the experiences of those who’ve lived through its trauma. This must change, and change begins by placing survivors where they belong: as leaders of the conversation. National survivor councils can be that spark, bringing the lived wisdom of survivors to the heart of policymaking.

Without survivor input, governments risk continuing to implement solutions that miss the mark, leaving survivors unsupported or, worse, retraumatized. National survivor councils can bridge this gap by giving survivors not just a voice but influence, ensuring that their insights drive the changes that matter. These councils can disrupt the status quo by guiding the direction of policies that directly impact survivors' lives. And, in doing so, create authentic societal transformation.

For these councils to thrive, independence is key. Governments must establish legal frameworks that guarantee survivor councils the autonomy to speak freely, advocate boldly, and challenge political establishment without fear of reprisal. This is not just about giving survivors a platform—it’s about giving them the power to hold governments accountable and demand meaningful, lasting change.

Flexibility in how these councils are integrated into political structures is essential. They should be strategically embedded in ministries or departments best suited to their mission, ensuring they have the leverage to influence decision-makers effectively. Whether in health, justice, or social services, their placement should reflect the goal: ending child sexual abuse, not ticking boxes.

Historically, childhood sexual violence has been obscured by secrecy and shame, muffling survivors’ voices and preventing open dialogue. Survivor councils have the potential to change this by enabling public survivors to speak out safely and advocate for justice. By doing so, they can shift societal narratives, replacing stigma with understanding and bringing the fight against childhood violence into the public light where it belongs.

The upcoming global ministerial is a pivotal moment. Governments have a unique opportunity to show their commitment to a future free from childhood violence, and establishing and funding a national survivor council is clear and strategic pledge that governments could make at the Ministerial, and beyond If governments make the commitment, survivors are here to help shape and form these councils, to make them a reality and enable more effective policy making to end violence. We know how to make these councils work and have written a briefing to help enable them to be set up.

National survivor councils are a catalyst for real, systemic transformation. By entrusting survivors with the power to shape policy, we can build a future where child sexual violence is confronted head-on and, crucially, prevented. Governments must prioritize these councils, ensuring that policies don’t just scratch the surface but truly meet survivors’ needs and shield future generations from the deep and lasting wounds of abuse.

It’s time to stop seeing survivors as the aftermath and start seeing them as the architects of a new future.