Where children lack legal protection the law must be changed at national and international levels and where there are existing laws these must be enforced. For this we need to change attitudes - of families, village leaders, government and legal officials, as it is within these groups that children are employed.

Many children work in situations which are so exploitative that they can be considered as slavery. Yet society regards child domestic work as a safe form of employment. The impact of these conditions on the children is vast. Isolated from friendships and family, they have no one else to turn to and frequently become dependent on their employers for their basic needs.

"I started to work when I was 12 years old. Since then, I never saw my family. Homesickness is my greatest enemy. My mother only saw me when my employer finally told her where I was working in Manila. They did not allow anybody to see me because they always beat me. I always wanted to tell my parents how difficult my life was, but there was no chance until the NGO rescued me" Maricel, child domestic worker aged 17, working in Manila, Philippines.

We need to know more about the impact of domestic work on children's mental and physical health. Our research will allow organisations working with child domestic workers to identify those most at risk, and plan ways of helping including removal from their workplaces. In Peru a report entitled 'We are not invisible' was circulated to politicians, policy makers and the media. It has sparked a national debate on the issue of child domestic work. It is support like this that will enable us to change laws.

Access to education is also vital if child domestic workers are to have a future.

Specialised workshops help build the shattered self esteem that goes hand in hand with being told you are stupid every day. However, long working hours and demanding employers make it impossible for many to attend school.

"I was going to study this year but my employer said it wasn't possible: we couldn't leave the children alone. Both he and his wife go out to work." Alfonso, child domestic worker in Lima, Peru, aged 16.

Through offering legal and practical advice to improve their situations, we believe that child domestic workers can have a successful future. The implementation of laws is vital as they act as a benchmark to highlight the problem. Despite obstacles, progress has been made. In India in 2006 it became illegal to employ children under the age of 14 in domestic work.

In the Philippines, campaigning efforts have been successful in the drafting of national legislation that will offer protection to domestic workers from abuse and improve their working conditions.

More still needs to be done. Please consider making a donation of £35 this Christmas to help Anti-Slavery International and its partners to stop these abuses.

Starting in 2008, Anti- Slavery International has planned a small grants scheme which will empower young domestic workers with skills to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation. Research and advocacy work will be the primary focus of this project with the vision to press for change in several different countries. Through lobbying to amend laws we want to see the rights of domestic workers protected. This will include the Batas Kasambahay (Domestic Workers Bill) in the Philippines and lobbying for a new ILO Convention on domestic workers' rights.

Please send a donation today and help to change more children's lives.