Description
According to a study conducted by the Nobody's Children Foundation in 2013 55% of children in Poland suffered psychological violence from parents. Project objective is to empower vulnerable groups by enhancing the offer and improving access to psychological support for families with children aged 0-6 that send risk signals or exhibit symptoms indicative of emotional abuse. Beneficiaries of the program (one-on-one consultations, workshops, group therapy) include families exposed to child ill-treatment as well as professionals working with families that need specialized help (training, supervision, consultations in person and on the phone). The program is based on the concept of early intervention, according to which preventive and remedial actions should be implemented at the earliest stage of life, when they are most efficient, since without such help a child may develop serious and irreversible mental and physical disorders. The overriding goal of the program is to counteract abuse and, as a result, to minimize social exclusion. At least 160 families and 50 professionals in Wielkopolskie and Mazowieckie voivodeships will benefit the project.
Summary of project results
"Seven out of 10 children in Poland admit to having been exposed to violence, 55% of whom to psychological abuse by parents; 12% witnessed acts of physical violence between guardians (Nobody's Children Foundation, 2013). Psychological and information aid offered to parents of small children by public, local government, and private entities in Poznań is insufficient; there is a constant shortage of free of charge emotional abuse prevention programmes (Zero to Five Foundation report, 2011). The project purpose was to prevent social exclusion by improving access to psychological aid for families with children aged 0-6 displaying risk or emotional abuse symptoms. Parents from 179 families improved their upbringing competencies as a foundation for developing correct and abuse-free relations with children. Sixteen community midwives and 43 kindergarten teachers expanded their knowledge of recognising young children abuse symptoms, and of supporting such children and their parents. The following activities were delivered: individual/family consultations (750 private office meetings, 100 home visits for 179 families, 30 observation and diagnostic visits to entities for children in therapy); 2 series of workshops for 29 expecting parents; 4 series of workshops for 63 parents of children aged 1-6; 12 therapy fun and games sessions; 10 diagnostic meetings and 15 individual/family consultations (6 children aged 2-6 and their families); 2 training courses for 16 community midwives; 4 supervision sessions for 6 community midwives; 4 training courses for 43 teachers of 4 kindergartens; telephone hotlines (21 consultations) for professionals seeking advice on matters relating to child abuse. Project beneficiaries included 179 families (509 persons) affected with emotional child abuse, and 16 midwives and 43 kindergarten teachers from the Wielkopolska and Mazovian voivodships."
Summary of bilateral results