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Description
The project addresses the issue of sexual abuse of minors in three rural communities in Giurgiu County. Sexual abuse is the least recognized and reported form of violence, given that between 75% and 90% of cases do not reach the attention of the authorities. Moreover, sexual violence / sexual abuse among minors is a topical issue of our society that endangers their health and development with negative consequences in social integration into adulthood. Thus, we aim to empower young people aged 14-18 to address sexual abuse, to mobilize the directly affected categories to get involved in addressing this issue through dialogue (public cafes; round table) with key factors in Giurgiu County and by implementing concrete actions (social media campaigns; audiences with local elected officials, organizing debates, etc.). These actions, as well as other relevant ones, will be described in the local advocacy plans that will be developed by the target group. The main results: 90 young women will acquire skills in addressing sexual abuse; 45 parents will acquire skills to address sexual abuse; 3 public cafes; 45 members of the target group (adolescents, parents, representatives of key authorities) participate in public cafes; 3 local advocacy plans developed and implemented; 3 civic involvement groups set up. From the point of view of the added value brought by each partner, they materialize by juxtaposing two profiles of organizations with specific expertise, as follows: Applicant with expertise in implementing advocacy actions at local level and mobilizing vulnerable groups in local decision-making and defending / promoting rights (expertise on "content") the partner with specific expertise in project issues, through the human resources provided (expertise on "process").
Summary of project results
In Romania, 30% of women report experiencing sexual abuse after the age of 15 (FRA, 2019), and in 2020, over 1,000 cases of sexual abuse against minors were reported—903 involving girls and 142 involving boys. The problem is exacerbated in rural areas, where awareness and resources are particularly scarce. The project aimed to address this pressing issue by equipping adolescents, parents, and local stakeholders with knowledge and tools to prevent and combat sexual abuse, while fostering community-driven advocacy initiatives.
The project implemented a multi-faceted approach over several stages. Sixx community awareness and sensitization events were conducted across three rural areas, engaging adolescents, parents, and local actors. Training sessions were held for 90 adolescent girls aged 14-18 and 45 parents, focusing on relationships, values, rights, sexual health, and advocacy techniques to address sexual violence. These sessions were complemented by the development of a curriculum for adolescents and parents and a toolkit to support advocacy efforts.
Additionally, three public cafés were organized with 45 local stakeholders to develop advocacy plans tailored to each community. This resulted in the creation of three civic initiative groups, which subsequently organized workshops, debates, and street campaigns that reached over 2,000 community members.
The project’s impact is profound because it addresses a sensitive yet critical issue by empowering vulnerable individuals and communities. By equipping adolescents and parents with the tools to combat sexual violence, the project not only provided immediate support but also fostered long-term cultural and behavioral change. Community mobilization efforts created a ripple effect, raising awareness and encouraging open dialogue about a traditionally taboo topic.