Description
The rate of revealed cases of child torture, neglect, and abuse is very low in Slovakia. Institutions do not search for these children and schools do not inform pupils about domestic violence. The goal of the project is to inform elementary school pupils about issues related to child torture, abuse or neglect, and to ensure intervention services to children at risk of domestic violence. In addition, the project seeks to train educational advisers, counseling office employees and foster parents at workshops. The project includes also practical activities such as identification of children with CAN syndrome and providing them with intervention services.
Summary of project results
In Slovakia, the rate of revealed cases of child abuse and neglect is very low. Institutions do not search for these children, and schools do not discuss domestic violence with their pupils. The project outcomes will be maintained through other preventive and intervention activities, which the organisation is planning to implement. The objective of the project was to ensure professional intervention services for children who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse, as well as to provide elementary school pupils an access to information about the issues of child abuse and neglect. The objective was fully met. From a long-term perspective, the project is among the first ones to draw the attention of typical elementary schools to this topic. The outcome of the project was defined as: elementary-school children are taught about primary prevention of child abuse and neglect by the means of a traveling interactive tree sculpture, and children with CAN syndrome are provided direct intervention services through counseling and therapeutic activities. The outcome was fully met. Main outputs: 43 children with DN or CAN syndromes were provided intervention services; 34 children received counseling; 20 children involved in hippotherapy; educators (92), counselors (98) and foster parents (74) involved in education about CAN. Beneficiaries were involved in activities held in safe environments where they could openly talk about their problems, fears, feelings and their perceptions of the pathological situation at home. In addition to children, activities were organised for parents where they had an opportunity to consult: their attitude to their own children, how to explain things to children, situations children should not be involved in, and how to be a person the children can trust to.
Summary of bilateral results