PROTECT is a national pro-child, anti-crime membership association. We are founded on the belief that our first and most sacred obligation as parents, citizens, and members of the human species is the protection of children from harm. We are committed to building a powerful, nonpartisan force for the protection of children from abuse, exploitation and neglect. We believe that this must be done through a determined single-issue focus, a meaningful mainstream agenda and the use of proven modern political strategies.

That old saying is supposed to explain why children do not inspire fear and respect among elected leaders. But the real reason children always lose out in the political arena is that adults don't fight for children the way they fight for themselves.

Children don't vote—but neither do firearms, clean air, or whales. Adults protect their self-interests with money, lobbyists, and modern campaign strategies. Children make no political contributions, don't hire media specialists, and can't form PACs.

Children's protection is our responsibility, but too often we have offered children nothing more than vague non-profits and feel-good rhetoric.

Every year in America, scores of powerful special interest groups and political candidates assemble teams of seasoned consultants, build up huge war chests, and conduct their own media and electoral campaigns. The stakes are high and the goals are pursued relentlessly.

FOCUS

PROTECT is founded on the belief that a single-issue focus is the only way to make child protection a political priority. Like the NRA or the AARP, we know that there is strength in numbers and power in being focused exclusively on a single issue. Traditional child advocacy groups have not focused on the single issue that we care about most: protecting children from abuse, exploitation and neglect. As a result, their efforts have often been diluted and their political influence questionable.

NONPARTISANSHIP

PROTECT is serious when we say we are nonpartisan. Many of our members are "anti-crime" conservatives... many are "pro-child" liberals. Some have never been involved in the political process before. But regardless of our beliefs, we all agree that child protection comes first. We ask only two things of elected officials and policy makers: (1) that they make the protection of children a top priority and are generous in providing child crime and neglect victims the help they need; and (2) that crimes against children are treated as crimes and that those who prey upon children are removed from society. We welcome anyone who has not been convicted of a crime against a child and will fight for those two simple principles.

MAINSTREAM AGENDA

Just as PROTECT is committed to a nonpartisan approach, we are dedicated to an agenda on which the vast majority of Americans agree. We believe in, as national advisory board member Joel Dvoskin has said, "sticking to the simple truths." We are also proud to work with a wide spectrum of people, regardless of their other political or social positions. After all, when the building is on fire, you don't stop firefighters at the gate to ask their political or social beliefs. PROTECT does not "take positions" on many issues such as abortion or "spanking" that could be used to divide us and divert attention from child abuse, exploitation and neglect. We also never advocate for anyone's rights but a child's... there are others to fight those battles.

PROVEN CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES

PROTECT believes that we must fight for children with the same seriousness and resolve with which we fight for any other vital interest. That's why we have built a grassroots organization modeled after other proven successes.

PROTECT takes the best thinking of tough-minded experts and designs targeted, winnable campaigns. Then we use modern campaign strategies such as polling, political contributions, direct mail and media campaigns to ensure victory. We know that the rules of politics and human nature have not been suspended "for the kids." That's why we owe them the same serious strategies and focus we give our financial, ideological and other interests.