Botswana Launches Child-Friendly Policing Documentary

The Government of Botswana, in partnership with UNICEF Botswana, launched the Child-Friendly Policing Documentary, showcasing the country's progress in strengthening access to justice for children and reinforcing its commitment to a child-centred justice system that protects, listens and responds to every child.

The documentary captures Botswana's journey in transforming the way children interact with the justice system by promoting approaches that are safe, trauma-informed and responsive to the unique needs of child victims, witnesses and children alleged to have committed offences.

The launch ceremony was officiated by Honourable Moeti Caesar Mohwasa, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, and attended by senior government officials, representatives of development partners, members of the diplomatic community and stakeholders working to strengthen child protection and justice systems across Botswana.

The initiative reflects the longstanding collaboration between the Government of Botswana, the Botswana Police Service and UNICEF, with valued support from the United Kingdom in Botswana and the Embassy of Japan in Botswana. Together, the partners have worked to strengthen child protection within the justice sector by improving infrastructure, enhancing professional capacity and ensuring that children are treated with dignity throughout legal processes.

A key achievement highlighted in the documentary was the establishment of eight Child-Friendly Centres across Botswana in Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Palapye, Ghanzi, Shakawe, Letlhakane and Lobatse. These specialised facilities provide safe and welcoming environments where children can participate in interviews and legal proceedings without experiencing unnecessary fear or secondary trauma.

To further improve investigations involving children, more than P1 million was invested in specialised audio-visual interview equipment, enabling child-sensitive evidence collection that supports both children's wellbeing and the integrity of criminal investigations.

The documentary also highlighted significant investments in professional capacity development. During 2025, 384 officers were trained, including 82 Station Commanders and 302 First Responders, alongside social workers and prosecutors. The training strengthened the ability of frontline professionals to identify, respond to and investigate cases involving children using child-sensitive approaches that prioritise protection and uphold children's rights.

Beyond strengthening the justice system, prevention remained a key pillar of the initiative. Throughout 2025, awareness and prevention activities reached more than 204,000 people, including over 115,000 children, helping communities recognise, prevent and respond to violence against children.

The documentary further noted improvements in criminal justice outcomes, with child-related cases recording an arrest rate of approximately 50 per cent during 2025 and an increase in successful prosecutions, reflecting stronger investigations and enhanced coordination across the justice system.

The Child-Friendly Centres have contributed to creating safer pathways for children seeking justice by reducing the risk of secondary trauma, improving the quality of evidence collected and supporting more timely case management. These improvements help ensure that child victims, witnesses and children in conflict with the law are treated with respect, compassion and dignity throughout legal proceedings.

The launch of the documentary reaffirmed Botswana's commitment to strengthening child protection through sustained investment, institutional reform and multi-sectoral collaboration. By working together, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, development partners and communities continue to build a justice system that places the best interests of the child at the centre of every response.

For every child, protection.