1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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