Unicef Turkey and Belgian Federal government host conference on Prevention of Violence towards Children

13-14 December 2010: Prevention of Violence against Children - Working Towards Developing a National Action Plan

13 December 2010, Ankara -The Social Services and Child Protection Agency, together with the technical support of UNICEF and the financial support of the Belgian Federal Government, who currently has the rotating Presidency of the European Union, organized an international meeting on the Prevention of Violence against Children on 13-14 December 2010 in Ankara.

During the opening session, UNICEF Turkey Representative Dr. Ayman ABULABAN, SHCEK General Director Dr. İsmail BARIŞ, Ambassador of Belgium to Turkey Pol De Witte, Head of Institution Building and Civil Society Section from the EU Delegation Erwan Marteil, Turkish Grand National Assembly Child Rights Monitoring Committee Member Halide İNCEKARA, Turkish Grand National Assembly Child Rights Monitoring Committee Head Prof. Dr. Cevdet ERDÖL and State Minister responsible from Women and Family Selma Aliye KAVAF delivered opening speeches.

State Minister responsible from Women and Family Selma Aliye KAVAF stated that, “various studies concluded that it is crucial to launch awareness raising campaigns to create sensitivity in the general public to protect children and fulfıll their rights. However, targeting only parents, teachers, and children is not sufficient as studies and projects for targeting different groups and areas is necessary.”

UNICEF Turkey Representative Dr. Ayman ABULABAN, in his speech said: “Violence and abuse have serious consequences for children. Violence  disables children from enjoying their rights. It puts the emotional and physical health of children at great risk, provokes low self-esteem, causes trauma and depression which might lead to risk-taking and agressive behaviour which might result in self-inflicted harm. As UNICEF we are inviting every single member of the society not to leave these children alone, break the cycle of feudal silence and mentality, and prevent secondary traumatization by social exclusion.”

In his opening remarks, Belgium Ankara Ambassador Pol De Witte stated: “The EU is a long standing supporter and promoter of the rights of the child. The EU fully agrees that violence against children is never justifiable and defending human dignity and physical and mental integrity of children is a top priority for us.  Children are among the most vulnerable groups. We should continue to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of the child, this is an absolute must. It is responsibility of all of us, and children can count on our support!”

In addition, representatives from institutions working for children were present at the meeting including government institutions, NGOs, international experts and professionals from the field to provide information related to different provinces and regions.

During the work group sessions participants will analyze risk and possible prevention measures that may be developed in environments providing services to children, including; family environment, half-time services (children spending some hours of a day in that environment), full-time services (children living in that environment), work environment and the media.