Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: The key messages highlighted the strong
consensus from all groups against corporal
punishment, also around ending placement of
children in institutions, and going beyond
laws. Law does not end the problem, it should
be complemented with changing mindsets and
listening to children.GROUP 1: PARENTING AND PREVENTING VIOLENCE
The first group emphasised that violence should not be seen in isolation,
but in connection with other factors, including the environment children live
in. First and foremost, all agreed to ban corporal punishment and other
humiliating forms of punishment.
There was some discussion about a ban on corporal punishment and
alternative forms of discipline, and how to maintain parental authority and
control over children. Finally, there was a major focus on prevention, the
need for changing attitudes, both in public and private authorities.
Recommendations:
- awareness campaigns about child rights and how it is not about
increasing guilt feelings for parents, but focus on alternatives. They can
do things differently and therefore better. A slogan was offered from a
young delegate for such a campaign: “Be modern, don’t be violentâ€
- Provisions of support services for children and parents that are
child sensitive and confidential
- Training of professionals on how to identify and provide help
- Need for an evaluation of parental and other training
programmes to prevent and undertake research on non violent
approaches.
GROUP 2: ENDING SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
First, the discussion focused on the invisible nature of most cases of
sexual abuse within the family. This is particularly the case when it
happens within the community, by a parent or neighbour. There is a need
for a multi-disciplinary approach of existing services.
One problem was discussed which was the tensions that may arise
between mandatory reporting and other reporting. There is a need to
protect a child’s privacy and how this can be done. There is also a need to
target the priorities, starting with prevention. There should also be a focus
on rural areas and children belonging to disadvantaged groups like
minority and children with disabilities.
Finally, there was a discussion on the role of the media and how it could
contribute to children being able to seek help and accelerating law reform.
Key recommendations:
- Early intervention
- Training on child rights and protection
- Develop services, including universal healthcare
- Emphasise the role of schools, particularly when it comes to
prevention of sexual abuse, such as providing proper information on
reproductive health, but also going to existing services to use judiciary
procedures and providing information for making informed choices.
- Need for legal reform on harmful traditional practices, polygamy,
forced marriages, FGM, and this should be done in direct collaboration
with immigrant communities
- Children should not be put in detention centers or institutions
for long periods of time
- Media is an important tool in sensitising the public, but is should
also stop stigmatising children, rather provide practical advice for all
stakeholders.
GROUP 3: THE CARE SYSTEM AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Key issues:
There was a discussion on the existing phenomena of unwarranted
placements, often in residential care because there are no alternatives,
which means they stay there for a long time. Also, there is a lack of
regulations on basic standards. There is a need for staff training, and
children should be informed of their rights.
Recommendations:
- First and foremost, reduce unwarranted placements of children
- Set up special protection measure for children under five
- Placing under fives in institutions is always harmful (therefore
should always be avoided and prevented).
- Setting of standards for residential care, both for public and
private, including a ban on corporal punishment and other inhuman
treatment
- Establish a complaints and monitoring mechanism
- Inspections should be organised regularly, including in foster
care.
- Staff should be screened and receive ongoing training. There
should also be Code of conduct.
- Media should be involved to give voices to children.
GROUP 4 : CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND RECEPTION CENTRES
The discussion started with objectives, and discussed role of families and
juvenile justice systems. One important subject that came up was the
distinction lacking between children in conflict with the law and others,
such as asylum seeking children, children on the streets, trafficked
children. These children are criminalised because they do not act in the
way we expect them to. They should not mix those two groups of children
in institutions and in law.
There was also a discussion on the matter of money. More money does
not necessarily solve the problems, attitudes and practices are equally
important. With little money, you can do a lot.
Key recommendations:
There was an overlap with previous group, especially in terms of training
of staff, and awareness raising among children about their rights.
- address the existing practice of impunity of those who commit
violence against children in correction centres and others.
- There is a lack of control of strangers coming to see young
people in reception centers. It is important for young people to have
contact with the outside world, particularly with family members. As this is
one way to break the isolation in which they find themselves.
- Need for children to have a well structured predictable set of
activities and when possible, of making choices among these activities.