About Us

Dr. Daniela Ligiero is the CEO and President of Together for Girls (TfG), a global partnership dedicated to ending violence against children and adolescents, especially sexual violence. Under her leadership, TfG uses a comprehensive, interconnected approach that aligns data, solutions, accountability, and advocacy to drive systemic change.

Previously, Dr. Ligiero served as Vice President of Girls and Women’s Strategy at the UN Foundation, where she developed the organization’s first gender integration strategy. She also held senior roles at the U.S. Department of State, where she helped launch the first U.S. global strategy to end gender-based violence and co-designed the PEPFAR DREAMS initiative—one of the largest global investments in adolescent girls’ health.

Through her leadership, advocacy, and lived experience, she continues to advance global efforts to ensure children and adolescents can grow up safe, supported, and free from violence.

It has never been more important to shine a light on how countries are responding to childhood sexual violence. The Out of the Shadows Index can drive meaningful change and protect children around the world.

Professor Deborah Fry (MA, MPH, PhD) has over 25 years of experience in researching violence against children. She is a Chair in International Child Protection Research at the University of Edinburgh. At the University, Professor Fry is the Global Director of Data and PI for Childlight – Global Child Safety Institute where she leads research teams to better understand the prevalence and nature of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) globally and leads the world’s first index on CSEA prevalence (childlight.org). 

The Out of the Shadows Index is a powerful advocacy tool for countries to proritize international standards and advance equal protection for every child, everywhere.

Founder and Executive Director, Fundación Red por la Infancia

Countries need to see the painful reality of childhood sexual violence. The Out of the Shadows Index is a great tool to track evidence based solutions and develop better systems of care.

Ms. Pragathi Tummala is a senior public health leader and Chief Executive Officer of ISPCAN (the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect), a global nonprofit organization advancing research, professional training, and multidisciplinary collaboration to prevent child abuse and neglect worldwide. She has led ISPCAN for the past ten years, overseeing its global strategy, programs, operations, and financial sustainability.Pragathi directs two peer-reviewed scientific journals, partnerships across 54 countries, and active collaborations with 21 international agencies. Under her leadership, ISPCAN has expanded its global impact through the launch of a new academic journal and the development of flagship initiatives, including the Huddle and the Rise Up Policy Forum, which connect research, practice, and policy to drive systemic change.  With more than 25 years of experience across state, national, and global public health systems, Pragathi brings deep expertise in policy, program development, and cross-sector collaboration. 

The Out of the Shadows Index addresses the weak systems for preventing chilhood sexual violence by comparing the prevention capacity of each country and making it politically actionable.

Saba Lishan is a development professional with over 25 years of experience in advancing child protection and gender equality. She currently serves as the Coordinator of the African Partnership to End Violence Against Children (APEVAC) at the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF). Throughout her career, Saba has played a central role in the design, implementation, and management of programmes addressing the most pressing challenges facing children in Africa. Her work is deeply rooted in strengthening child protection systems, promoting accountability, and advocating for the realization of every child’s right to a life free from violence and neglect.

The Out of the Shadows Index helps build a future in which no child is left unprotected - and where, in the long run, no child will ever again suffer the trauma of sexual violence.

Sabine Rakotomalala, a child psychologist with over 25 years of experience in child protection and psychosocial support, works at the WHO’s Violence Prevention Unit. Previously with UNICEF, Terre des hommes, and the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, she led major child protection and violence prevention initiatives such as the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network (2007), the development and implementation of the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (2012), the development and implementation of the INSPIRE: Seven strategies for ending violence against children technical package (2016) and the Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children (2025).

The Out of the Shadows Index offers evidence for addressing childhood sexual violence that cannot be ignored. It stimulates action, investment and inspires accountability.

Sendrine Fabie Constant is the Director of Programmes of ECPAT International. She has +25 years of experience in child protection and addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation and worked globally as well as in Asia, Africa and South-Eastern Europe.

The Out of the Shadows Index makes sexual violence - the most hidden violations of children’s rights - visible. It aligns advocacy, policymaking, and investment around real action.

Serena Tommasino is the Senior Technical & Advocacy Lead at Safe Online. She has 20 years of experience working at the intersection of violence prevention, technology, and evidence-informed practice to advance better outcomes for children and young people. Her work spans advocacy, policy, programmes, and partnerships across the UN system, the European Union, philanthropy and CSOs in the USA, UK, Eastern Africa, North Africa, and South Asia. Serena is deeply committed to ensuring that all children can thrive in safe and nurturing environments, including digital ones. She holds an MA with Distinction in Sociology and a Research Fellowship on Culture & Technology at the University of Toronto.