Submitted by jonas on
[18 November 2014]
The Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania-CRCA presented today at a workshop “Violence against children: What do the data show?” organised in collaboration with the Albanian National Helpline-ALO 116, the results of the case-based surveillance study in the framework of the “Balkan Epidemiological Study on Child Abuse and Neglect” (BECAN). The study was a first attempt to systematically collect data related to violence against children (VAC) from the existing archives and records of agencies and service providers involved in handling cases of VAC.
The research aimed at shedding light on the way cases of violence against children in managed and the problems associated with the supervision and professional assistance of helping children. With the participation of the research group, Board of Ethic and a number of national and international personalities, the workshop aimed to serve as a guideline for the drafting of public services with the aim of preventing violence against children and the creation of a sustainable baseline for future assessments.
During his presentation Mr. Altin Hazizaj, Executive Director of CRCA Albania said: “It is important to analyse the institutional response of handling cases of violence against children in Albania. It is essential to investigate how these data will be translated in preventive policies in the framework of not only empowering existing services but also in investing in new ones, in collaboration with CSO, public institutions, educational institutions, donors, etc.
The study, among other things, reported the following findings and conclusions:
- Albania does not have a mandatory system of reporting VAC;
- There is an uneven distribution of services for victims of child abuse and neglect;
- Almost every form of violence is present in the lives of children who report to public institutions and civil society organizations;
- Child protection and social services function more in large urban centre’s, while children living in rural areas are left with little opportunity for these services;
- Social services, followed by policy forces are the key institution where the majority of suspected and confirmed cases of VAC are reported;
In conclusion of the workshop the effectiveness and efficiency of interventions at the preventive, legal and in terms of social services and developments were discussed.
