Addressing children`s needs and establishing services in Croatia Prof. Gordana Buljan Flander, PhD Director of Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Croatia Co-Funded by the European Union

The problem of child sexual abuse was first tackled some 20 years ago in Croatian public In the initial phase the greatest engagement was carried out by non-governmental organizations Challenges insufficient cooperation among NGOs inefficient collaboration with the child protection system

The effect of „blowing the lid off” CHILDREN HAVE SPOKEN OUT • insufficient number of mental health profesionals in general • insufficient number of profesionals trained in working with sexually abused children • inefficient interagency collaboration • lack of understanding of the role of other professionals involved in the process increased public awareness of the problem growing number of the reports of the abuse

Preparing the ground media as partners in protection of abused children collaboration based on the principles of ethics and responsibility research publishing scientific articles training of professionals in different fields

Abused children are: Terrible Crazy Fat Cowards Stupid Bad Black Loose Dead Small Lazy

Child Protection Center of Zagreb, first croatian institution specialized in working with traumatized children Opened by the end of 2002, Center as a permanent solution within the health care system Financed through: health insurance (2/3) City of Zagreb (1/3) ACCESSIBILITY OF SERVICES mandatory and free basic health insurance – ensuring accessibility to children regardless of economical background

OUR MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM 12 psychologists 4 psychiatrists neuropaediatrician 2 social workers 2 social pedagogues speech therapist 6 nurses jurist

PRIMARY ACTIVITIES conducting clinical and forensic assessments providing treatment for children and families (+ daily hospital) research and scientific work publishing and raising public awareness education and training of staff, other professionals and staff conducting forensic evaluations

Cross-institutional cooperation CHILD PROTECTION CENTER SCHOOLS KINDERGARTENS PARENTS CITIZENS NGOs POLICE STATE ATTORNEYS COURT CHILD WELFARE CENTERS HEALTH INSTITUTIONS regular cooperation on a daily basis public debates, roundtables, seminars… training of professionals within the child protection system

cooperation with the court of law ENCOURAGING JUDGES TO INTERVIEW CHILDREN ON THE CENTER'S PREMISES One room – Center´s interviewer and the child Another room – DA, judge, defendant, defense lawyer, social worker, police… COURT EXPERTS FOR: credibility assessments child custody evaluations forensic evaluations of juvenile offenders

Model of work Multi-disciplinary approach Interagency collaboration BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD Child friendly environment and approach

Child and Youth Protection Center of ZAgreb Main goal: child who is feeling loved and safe Child and Youth Protection Center of ZAgreb Thank you Gordana.flander@poliklinika-djeca.hr