In 2021 HDF established Childlight, an independent global institute for child safety at the University of Edinburgh.

The institute will gather the most current, reliable and evidence-based data on child sexual exploitation and abuse. It will use insights from the data to inform policy and drive sustainable and coordinated action to support vulnerable children across the world.

The institute is led by Paul Stanfield, Executive Director elect. His extensive international career as a senior law enforcement officer includes serving at INTERPOL and the UK National Crime Agency. Paul has long championed the use of data to gain a better understanding of the abuse and exploitation of children. His priority is to use better data to drive activity and secure resources to protect these vulnerable children globally.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support from Human Dignity Foundation to empower our researchers and partners to address such a complex and insufficiently understood issue. The University is committed to using our research to address social and global challenges. It is hard to imagine an opportunity more in line with our mission than this.”
Prof. Peter Mathieson Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh

“Edinburgh is at the forefront of UK research in this area and is supported by the UK Government through our £260 million investment in the Data Driven Innovation programme, as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.”
Iain Stewart UK Government Minister for Scotland

“Through this institute and with our colleagues at the University of Edinburgh, we are investing in a potentially transformative piece of sector infrastructure. This will provide an independent, global and enduring analysis of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Our partners across the public and private sectors can then use the data to tackle this gravest of threats to these vulnerable children.”

Dr. John Climax Founder and Chair of Human Dignity Foundation