About us

The Saint Nicholas Children’s Trust (The Trust) is a not-for-profit organisation, focused on raising awareness about child sexual exploitation, including child sex trafficking (and other forms of child sexual exploitation), one child at a time. Whilst we are New Zealand based, our aim is to operate in other countries as our work grows.

At The Trust, we acknowledge that children can be sexually exploited by individuals who work alone, and through organised crime. Therefore we aim, through the 4P Paradigm Approach¹, to not only raise awareness of children being sexually exploited, but also the systems exploited by adults/individuals that enable this to occur.

Our trustees, members, volunteers and partners are all committed to shedding light on this critical issue as we strive to create a world where no child has to endure such suffering again.

We were founded in 2024 by Angela Francis, who formed The Trust visited the United Nations Headquarters, alongside Thailand and the Philippines, where she became aware of the extent of the extent of child sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. Prior to starting The Trust, Angela travelled extensively to learn more about this form of child sexual exploitation, which she has shared through presentations to interested community, professional and church groups.

What we do
Our people

¹ The 4 Ps paradigm is a framework for combating human trafficking that stands for Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership outlined in the United Nations Trafficking in Person's Protocol.

Why ‘Saint Nicholas’?

The man behind the name…

In the 4th century, St Nicholas was a bishop in Turkey. According to legend, he was a generous man who often kept his acts of kindness secret. He loved children and wanted what was best for them, seeking to protect them from violence, poverty, and exploitation. One legend has it that he gifted gold coins, as marriage dowries, for three young girls who would otherwise have been sold into prostitution.

In the world today, St Nicholas is more commonly referred to as Santa Claus - a familiar character who is much loved by children¹. As well as being known as a giver of gifts, we would like to continue his legacy as a protector of children.

¹ Ellsberg, Robert, 1997 All Saints: Daily Reflections on saints, prophets, and witnesses of our time, The Crossroad Publishing Company

– Our vision –

To create a world where no child faces sexual exploitation again.

Why is it important to raise awareness?

Raising awareness of this issue is crucial to creating change. By having more people aware and able to identify child sexual exploitation, the more incidents will be reported. Also, a collective movement can put pressure on policy makers to create meaningful legislative changes (for example, section 98 of the Crimes Act is currently not aligned to our obligations under international law, with particular reference to the Palmero Protocol.) These could include actions to increase safety and to aid in prevention. It is also essential that we collectively work towards creating better support mechanisms for survivors.

Did you know that it only takes 3.5% of the population in any country to start a movement or change the narrative? The American Management Association indicates that (transformational) change begins with awareness. Therefore, the more people are aware that child sexual exploitation exists, the more opportunity exists to effect change.

What can I do?

“Nothing much happens without a dream.

For something really great to happen, it takes a really great dream“

Robert Greenleaf ¹

¹ Robert Kiefner Greenleaf was the founder of the modern servant leadership movement and the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. Robert K. Greenleaf coined the term servant-leadership in his seminal 1970 essay, "The Servant as Leader".