Tackling violence against children in Europe The way forward Mariëlle Dekker Marc Dullaert

The need to act: why? A right to grow up without violence 1 in 10 European child victims Costs of violence extremely high, for children and society Tackling violence against children is possible

4 major issues Non-violent upbringing is not the norm Most child maltreatment undetected and unreported The violence is not stopped Victims suffer en do not get the necessary help

Report: Tackling violence against children in Europe The way forward 4 major issues 10 recommendations 8 targets Best practices And the results of your own countries

Top-Down Europe, Member States Goals, timelines, definitions Policy Top-Down Europe, Member States Goals, timelines, definitions Policy Possibilities, initiatives, Problems & Barriers Citizens, companies, investors Bottom - up Possibilities, initiatives, Problems & Barriers Citizens, companies, investors Bottom - up Growing up safely and healthy Politicians, policymakers, lawyers, researchers, NGOs etc. Children at risk of violence

LEGAL CONDITIONS IMPLEMENTATION EVIDENCE BASED POLICY

When existing standards would be fully implemented…….. ….. all European children would grow up in settings where non- violent upbringing is the legal and social norm and where violence is not an accepted way of disciplining children and/or ….. it would be reasonable to expect that in 2025 less than 5% of the European children report severe corporal punishment ?

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When existing standards would be fully implemented…….. ….. All European families at risk of violence receive evidence-based prevention programs which effectively lower risks and/or …..it would be reasonable to expect that in 2025 the frequency of abusive head traumas among European babies is reduced by 50%? …. etc.

grow up in settings where non-violent upbringing is not the legal or social norm yet and where violence is an accepted way of disciplining children. Mandatory reporting for (some) professionals exists in almost all EU member states. The implementation of methods designed to identify child maltreatment is less common across the EU

When existing standards would be fully implemented…….. ….. all European children encounter professionals who are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for identifying and acting in accordance with the country’s reporting laws ……injured children who receive medical care in Europe are effectively screened for injuries which could be the result of domestic violence. and/or …..it would be reasonable to expect that in % of all European hospitals screen parents and injured children on major risk factors? …. …..it would be reasonable to expect that in % all ER staff and 50% of all primary school teachers received adequate training?

HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?

One bite at a time

Reflection

The way forward for Ombudspersons? 1.Provide all families at risk of maltreatment with effective (elements) of parenting education, home-visiting and abusive-head trauma prevention programmes 2.Provide training to all professionals working with children in identifying child maltreatment and act according to the countries identification and reporting procedures 3.Introduce mandatory identification methods and reporting services