About PACA

PACA (Professionals Against Child Abuse) is an association of professionals who care for children that came together in 2007 in response to several high-profile cases against paediatricians at the GMC.

We initially published a response to these cases in Pediatrics (reference) and have since lobbied the government, GMC, Royal Colleges and the media to promote the welfare of children.

We believe:

  • that the child’s safety is paramount.
  • that professionals who look after children are essential to promote and protect the wellbeing of children.
  • that professionals must be able to voice reasonable concerns about children without fear of condemnation or censure.

We aim to:

  • work with established statutory bodies to protect children from abuse
  • promote education about child abuse to professionals
  • inform statutory bodies such as the GMC about child protection
  • campaign to make child protection a priority for government
  • support professionals who are subject to persecution as a result of child protection work
  • argue against misinformation about child protection perpetuated by certain pressure groups