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Description
Center Dardedze has made the prevention of sexual abuse of children at all levels - primary, secondary and tertiary - a strategic priority of its activities. Center Dardedz will purposefully work to prevent any kind of violence against child, paying extra attention towards prevention of sexual violence and abuse of a child. In order to achieve the goal, the civic organization will organize at least one campaign and conference per year, thus promoting the actualization of the problem, awareness among professionals in the field and parents, as well as offering potential solutions to the situation. Center Dardedze will also purposefully work to protect the interests of children by organizing or participating in working groups and meetings formed by state institutions or other non-governmental organizations, working on the development of common terminology, improvement and / or creation of law and policy documents, always taking into account the best interests of the child.
Considering the fact that there is still a high tolerance for violence in society and a lack of necessary research and data to promote positive change, especially at a time when digitalization is leading to new forms of violence that are not always recognized, Center Dardedze will carry out two studies about the understandings and knowledge of violence against children in society in general and among the professionals.
Center Dardedze also plans to develop a plan for prevention of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children in specific municipalities of Latvia by conducting a desk research and assessment of services available in municipalities, organizing and leading working groups with specialists, policy makers and target group. By using the obtained data in the desk research, working groups, as well as on the developed plan, training for specialists who work with children on a daily basis will be developed and implemented.
Summary of project results
Center Dardedze is a non-governmental organization focused on preventing sexual violence against children in Latvia. Its aims include developing child protection services and policies, fostering interinstitutional collaboration, and promoting research, education, and public awareness about child abuse. Through advocacy and active involvement in legislative processes, Dardedze works to strengthen the welfare of children and families.
Main Challenges:
- Limited funding for initiatives. Financial constraints hinder the ability to fully implement planned activities, such as organizing conferences and developing new services.
- Bureaucratic challenges. The heavy administrative workload and reliance on project-based funding reduce time for direct child protection work.
- Lack of coordination between agencies. Challenges remain in aligning various stakeholders and creating unified approaches to sexual violence prevention.
- Inadequate data on the scope of abuse. Gaps in comprehensive data collection hinder the development of tailored support services for affected children and families.
- Cultural barriers and resistance. Societal attitudes and cultural norms impede open discussions on child sexual abuse, complicating efforts for reform.
- Slow pace of legislative change. Achieving systemic legal changes to improve child protection and better define terms related to sexual violence remains slow.
- Access to support services in municipalities. Barriers persist in ensuring all regions have sufficient services to address the needs of children who have experienced sexual abuse.
1. Improved investigation and legal frameworks for child sexual abuse. A revised definition of "sexual exploitation" was advocated for in the Child Protection Law to expand its scope to include all forms of sexual abuse, including harmful sexual behavior among children. A clarified definition of "sexual abuse" within the Child Rights Protection Law, effective May 16, 2023, marked a significant step toward enhancing child protection. Additionally, interagency working groups were formed, collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to ensure that law enforcement received updated guidance on investigating child sexual abuse cases, which ultimately improved investigative practices and legal frameworks.
2. Addressing harmful sexual behavior (HSB) issue. Harmful sexual behavior (HSB) was successfully incorporated into the national Child, Youth, and Family Development Guidelines for 2022–2027. A consistent, child-focused approach to HSB was promoted across various levels of governance, with participation in State Police working groups to create a unified understanding of HSB among professionals. Research, including surveys of 5,000 young people and 250 professionals, provided valuable data that informed policy advocacy and helped address the challenges faced by children and professionals in managing HSB.
3. Development of support services in municipalities. Collaboration with municipalities such as Tukums, Cēsis, and Saldus was crucial in identifying challenges and developing tailored child sexual abuse prevention services, focusing on training specialists, analyzing case data, and fostering civic engagement to promote local solutions. Dardedze also conducted research into sexual abuse cases in these municipalities to understand the prevalence and identify gaps in support services. Based on the data obtained, services were developed to enhance accessibility to support for children and families affected by sexual abuse, which included conducting surveys and data collection to assess the needs of local professionals.
4. Public awareness and educational campaigns. The "Read between Lines" educational campaign played a key role in raising public awareness of child sexual abuse prevention. Interactive "Ra-drošā telpa" spaces and a parent-oriented quiz were introduced, offering practical tools for recognizing and preventing abuse. A study conducted with SKDS revealed a 30% recognition rate of the campaign, demonstrating its impact. Additionally, the Dardedze website was updated to enhance accessibility to child abuse prevention resources, extending its reach to a broader audience.
5. Survivor support and empowerment. The "Safe Space" initiative was launched, providing a platform for adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse to find support and empowerment. This initiative plays a crucial role in acknowledging survivors’ experiences and providing an ongoing space for healing and empowerment.
6. Conferences and professional capacity building. The international conference "Harmful Sexual Behavior – Can a Child Harm a Child?" was organized, bringing together over 1,180 participants and experts from various countries. This event provided a platform for sharing knowledge and strengthening international cooperation in addressing harmful sexual behavior among children. The "Being on the Same Page" conference was also organized to enhance interinstitutional cooperation, ensuring a more coordinated approach to handling child sexual abuse cases across agencies and organizations.
7. Educational and training initiatives. A course for preschool teachers was developed, set to launch in spring 2024, focusing on fostering respectful relationships and preventing violence. Active participation was maintained in national working groups dedicated to improving early preventive support, interinstitutional collaboration, and data monitoring for violence classification and prevention. These initiatives aim to equip educators and professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively support children''s well-being.
8. Advocacy and policy contributions. Feedback was provided to institutions and NGOs on violence prevention in schools and policies concerning children’s well-being, contributing to the creation of more effective policies and practices for violence prevention. Advocacy efforts played a role in influencing the development of stronger frameworks that better protect children in educational settings and improve overall child welfare policies. Additionally, Dardedze worked on refining the definition of "sexual violence" in Latvian law, ensuring a more holistic approach to child protection. Active participation in legislative processes and consultations on various bills related to child abuse prevention, including those addressing school violence and healthcare, further strengthened these efforts.
9. Media and social engagement. Several articles were published, and newsletters were sent out to keep the public informed about Dardedze''s initiatives and their impact. Social media campaigns were also engaged in, offering commentary on 14 prominent child protection cases. This outreach helped build a broader understanding of the issues surrounding child sexual abuse and the importance of creating safe environments for children.
10. Educational programs. Dardedze implemented programs like "Džimbas Safety Program" and "A Safe and Friendly Kindergarten for Children," aimed at improving the understanding and application of children''s rights among preschool teachers and children.
11. Public education campaigns. The 2023 campaign "Read Between the Lines" aimed to raise awareness about child sexual abuse, dispel myths (e.g., that abusers are often strangers), and educate both the public and professionals working with children. The campaign also included a new, user-friendly educational platform on the Dardedze website.
12. Development of the Child’s House initiative. Contributions were made to the development of regulations for the Child’s House initiative, emphasizing a child-friendly approach to interviewing and supporting victims of sexual abuse, providing a comprehensive model for sensitive case handling.
All initiatives implemented by Dardedze during 2022-2023 have significantly impacted legislative, educational, and public awareness efforts, contributing to a more comprehensive and informed approach to child sexual abuse and prevention in Latvia.
- Center Dardedze specialists contributed to refining the definition of sexual exploitation in the Child Protection Law, ensuring it covers all forms of sexual abuse, including harmful sexual behavior among children. The definition update aims to foster holistic support for child victims and aligns with comprehensive practices in the justice system. The center also played an active role in the creation of a guidebook for law enforcement agencies to improve their investigation practices concerning sexual crimes against children.
- There was a lack of uniformity in handling HSB cases, ranging from ignorance to overreaction. Dardedze experts worked to raise awareness among specialists and advocated for including HSB education in national guidelines (2022-2027).These efforts are expected to improve specialist responses to HSB and ensure actions are based on the best interests of the child.
- Dardedze specialists participated in the development of a "Children''s House," a safe space for children who have experienced sexual abuse, to ensure their rights and interests are upheld during legal processes.They contributed to drafting regulations for the Children''s House, which aims to support children in legal cases related to sexual abuse.
- The "Read Between the Lines" campaign raised awareness about child sexual abuse, providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences and emotions. This campaign also led to the creation of a "Safe Space" initiative for survivors.
- Advocacy efforts played a role in influencing the development of stronger frameworks that better protect children in educational settings and improve overall child welfare policies. A clarified definition of "sexual abuse" within the Child Rights Protection Law, effective May 16, 2023, marked a significant step toward enhancing child protection.These actions contributed to fostering a more informed and engaged public regarding children''s rights and sexual abuse prevention.
- Dardedze piloted a service designed to help local municipalities create plans for preventing child sexual exploitation. This initiative will support the development of more effective prevention activities based on local needs and challenges in the future.
- An educational campaign was launched in 2023 to raise awareness about sexual abuse risks and prevention methods, particularly for parents and the broader public.
- Additionally, Dardedze worked on preparing training materials for preschool educators to address safe and respectful relationships with children and prevent abuse thus contributing to the quality content of higher education.