Macedonian See it, Hear it, Say it campaign finalized

Closing of the See it, Hear it, Say it campaign in Macedonia took place on 10th December 2008 during a press conference carried out by the First Children's Embassy in the World - Megjashi and AVA DDB advertising agency. The aim of the conference was to sum up the campaign efforts and its results.

 

 

The main indicators considered were the number and type of calls to free SOS Helpline for Children and Youth run by Megjashi. It appeared that the number of calls from victims or witnesses of child abuse has risen significantly. The total number of calls from January to October 2008 was 251, out of which 32.5% was connected to violence against children. Only during one month from the beginning of the See it, Her it, Say it campaign 51 calls were received, with 36 of them reporting violence against children. The number of emails received in connection of physical abuse of a child was also on the rise.

After receiving a call or an email Megjashi consultants take appropriate interventions. In some cases they address the Ombudsman of the Republic of Macedonia to find out what kind of activities are being taken regarding a particular case. Often psychological assistance is offered to children and their families.

Mentioned data show that the campaign reached it's aim and was visible to Macedonian society. However, as the First Children's Embassy in the World - Megjashi representatives argue, the problem of physical violence against children in Macedonia is yet only being revealed and further actions to eliminate it need to be undertaken.