Child as a Witness

Around 2.5 million children participate in judicial proceedings across the European Union (EU) every year, affected by parental divorce or as victims of, or witnesses to, crime. Although their effective participation in such proceedings is vital for improving the operation of justice, the treatment of children in justice systems remains a concern. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) investigated to what extent children's rights to be heard, to be informed, to be protected, and to non-discrimination are fulfilled in practice.

Protect my future

The widespread failure to protect children is a global crisis, with 0.5-1.5 billion children experiencing violence each year (Pinheiro 2006), 150 million girls and 73 million boys who are raped or subject to sexual violence (WHO 2000), and 115 million children engaged in extremely harmful forms of work (ILO 2010). This global crisis represents a major violation of children's rights; an unacceptable situation, which must be remedied urgently, no matter what the costs.

Social Activities and Practices Institute in partnership with the Ministry of Justice organized the Second International Conference "Victimization of children, dimensions and prevention". At the conference were presented national and European policies and practices on child abuse prevention and child-friendly justice. 

The IV International Conference "Safe Belarus for Children" under the general heading "Child Protection from Violence System: progress achieved and new approaches" takes place in Minsk, from the 11th to the 13th of December, 2012.
INGO Ponimanie warmly invites leading experts and professionals from the Region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia to share their ideas and provide information about the progress achieved in the work of Child Protection systems of the Region. Among the main issues that are going to be discussed there are Child Protection from Abuse System, including Reporting on Child Helplines and Hotlines, Child Friendly Investigation and Trial, Treatment of Abused Children, Missing and Exploited Children, Child Protection in Parental Divorce and Domestic Violence. Accepted participants will not have to pay the Registration Fee at the conference. Abstract submission is extended till November 15, 2012.