Benjamin Perks: Transforming Childhood Adversity into Global Advocacy for Children

If I can heal from it, if I can recover and not transmit it to my child, can we do this for the whole of humanity?”
— Benjamin Perks

This month, we shine the spotlight on Benjamin Perks, a global child rights advocate whose personal journey and professional leadership continue to inspire efforts to ensure that every child is safe, seen, and soothed.

From Childhood Adversity to Global Leadership

Benjamin Perks’ story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation. Having experienced violence, abuse, and neglect during his own childhood, he developed an enduring optimism that life could be different. Despite difficult circumstances, he maintained the belief that a better future was possible.

Reflecting on his early years, he notes:

“I think it was very clear that we were in a bad spot, though, being dealt a bad hand, but I was somehow optimistic that things would be better.”

Rather than allowing adverse experiences to define his future, Benjamin transformed his pain into purpose, dedicating his life to protecting children and advocating for systems that help them thrive.

Leading Global Advocacy for Children

Benjamin Perks currently serves as the Head of Advocacy for Child Development and Protection at UNICEF in New York, where he leads global campaigns and policy advocacy relating to children’s survival, development, protection, and well-being.

He has been a leading voice in advancing child development, violence prevention, and nurturing care, and has played an important role in initiatives such as the International Day of Play and the Global Caregiver Forum. His work emphasizes that children need not only protection from harm but also supportive relationships, play, emotional connection, and safe environments in which to grow.

He also serves on the Policy Advisory Group of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children and contributes to several international bodies focused on children’s rights and protection.

Service Across Continents

Benjamin’s career reflects extensive international experience. He has served in:

• Afghanistan
• India
• Georgia
• Kosovo
• Albania
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia

While serving in Afghanistan, he helped coordinate the Back to School campaign in northern Afghanistan, which enabled approximately three million children, including one million girls, to return to school, many for the first time in their lives.

He also oversaw initiatives involving the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration of child soldiers, helping restore hope and opportunity to children affected by armed conflict.

As UNICEF Representative and United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim in both Montenegro and North Macedonia, he advocated for reforms aimed at fulfilling international human rights commitments and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Trauma, Healing, and Breaking Cycles

Benjamin’s recently published memoir, Trauma Proof, explores his personal experiences and his journey toward healing. His reflections offer powerful insights into trauma, resilience, parenting, and the importance of supportive relationships.

One defining moment came when he became a father:

“When I held my son in my arms, I knew that what had happened to me was now unimaginable to myself. That made me ask the question, if I can heal from it, if I can recover and not transmit it to my child, can we do this for the whole of humanity?”

This question now sits at the heart of his work: how societies can prevent violence, support healing, and break intergenerational cycles of trauma.

The Power of One Caring Adult

Benjamin frequently acknowledges the life-changing influence of a teacher who helped redirect his path during childhood. His story reminds us that one trusted adult can profoundly influence a child’s future.

This aligns strongly with contemporary child safeguarding principles that emphasize safe relationships, protective environments, and responsive caregiving as essential ingredients for healthy child development.

Academic and Public Engagement

Beyond his work at UNICEF, Benjamin serves as a Senior Fellow at the Jubilee Centre at the University of Birmingham, where research focuses on character education and children’s social and emotional development.

He is also recognized internationally as a speaker, writer, and advocate on adverse childhood experiences, violence prevention, child development, and healing from trauma.

Through public speaking, writing, and advocacy, he continues to challenge governments, institutions, and communities to prioritize children’s safety and emotional well-being.

Benjamin Perks reminds us that child protection is not merely about preventing harm. It is about creating conditions in which children are loved, protected, heard, and supported to reach their full potential.

His life demonstrates that adversity need not determine destiny, that healing is possible, and that compassionate leadership can transform both individual lives and global systems.

As practitioners, policymakers, parents, educators, and advocates continue the work of building safer environments for children, Benjamin Perks stands as a powerful example of resilience translated into service.

In celebrating Benjamin Perks, we celebrate the enduring belief that every child deserves safety, dignity, love, and hope.

Global Spotlight of the Month recognizes leaders whose work advances child safety, child protection, and child well-being across the world. Benjamin Perks exemplifies the courage to transform personal adversity into global advocacy and lasting impact.