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Description
An unknown but large e number of children undergo a traumatic experience in connection with domestic violence in the Czech Republic. Applicant and his Norwegian and Czech partners want to create and adapt and implement a methodology for early detection of violence/abuse/neglect committed in children in close relationships and implement an individualized treatment and therapy program for children and parents that supports parental competencies and good relationships. After the pilot phase, the program will be transferred to at least seven other cooperating schools and kindergartens. During the implementation of the project, 300 children will be screened for identification of violence/trauma and one hundred of these children and 60 of their parents will be provided with targeted individualized therapies.
Summary of project results
The importance of the project was due to the high incidence of trauma in children caused by domestic violence and the lack of standardized tools to measure the impact of trauma and the lack of early intervention. The project focused on early recognition of the effects of violence and providing individualized therapy to children and parents so that they can grow up in a safe environment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase in family violence and a change in the organization of training.
The projekt has implemented several key activities in the project and prepared the background for the introduction of a programme for the detection of violence in close relationships. The project adapted standardized tools to measure the impact of trauma on children, which enabled early detection of
the effects of violence, provided individualized therapy to children and parents, ensuring support for the restoration of healthy family relationships or organized professional trainings for therapists and social workers to enable them to respond effectively to cases of domestic violence. These activities were important because they helped to identify and treat traumatic experiences in children early, improved the professional skills of workers and provided support to families in crisis situations. Overall, the project contributed to creating a safe and supportive environment for children affected by violence.
Two methodologies for recognition and intervention in cases of family violence were created for school and health care institutions, and the Norwegian methodology for working with traumatized children was adapted to the Czech environment. 300 children were examined, 91 children and 60 parents were provided with additional interventions, 134 mental health professionals were trained. Unintended effects include increased public awareness and systemic changes in violence prevention.
The project is important in preventing violence against children and creating a safe environment for their healthy development. It is expected to improve the conditions for early recognition of trauma in children and families resulting from domestic violence as well as their subsequent therapies, with the impact of reducing the incidence of violence in families in the long term and contributing to the overall improvement of their environment and the psychological well-being.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner brought specific knowledge and skills to the project in working with perpetrators of violence from other than Czech environment. For all of us, comparison, motivation and transfer of some good practice, e.g. Norwegian methods of working with a traumatized child. Partner involvement we offer affordable training, supervision and internships in Norway, which undoubtedly increased the professional competence of healthcare workers also in education. The Norwegian experience has contributed to the effective implementation of methods of early recognition of violence and therapeutic programs improving the situation of traumatized children and families.