Objective
The main objective of the Strengthen project is to strengthen the child protection system in Bulgaria by building the capacity of professionals from the fields of social services, education and police.
Problem
Violence against children is a serious problem that many people still underestimate. Often, violent behavior against children is justified by social norms when it occurs within the individual family.
Negative childhood experiences are dangerous for the health and well-being of the child. These are traumatic events that can range from physical, emotional to sexual abuse.
In Bulgaria, the rights of the child are protected by national legislation. Unfortunately, this is not enough. In cases of violence, the reaction of the child protection system is not always quick and effective. There is a lack of coordination between providers of social services for children, teachers, the police and other services working with children. The right approach is often missing due to a shortage of trained professionals.
Activities
Within the Strengthen project, 28 regional trainings were conducted in all regional centers in the country, covering social service workers, psychologists, police officers, teachers, mediators, etc. The trainings developed knowledge, skills and attitudes among professionals from different units in the child protection system to apply a strengths-based approach to supporting victims of violence, as well as to use some restorative justice methods to resolve family conflicts that threaten the safety of the child.
Training modules were also developed for professionals from social services, the police and the educational sector, as well as a learning-by-doing approach.
Who is behind the initiative
The project “Strengthening the Child Protection System in Bulgaria by Building the Capacity of Professionals from the Spheres of Social Services, Education and the Police” was created on the initiative of the Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF), in partnership with the State Agency for Child Protection and the Union “Education” at the Trade Union “Podkrepa”. The project is co-financed by the “Rights, Equality and Citizenship” program of the European Union.
Results
The main result of the project is the provision of support to more than 1,000 children at risk. This support is a result of the enhanced cooperation between the different units of the national child protection system, as well as the improved understanding of the long-term impact of adverse childhood experiences on the lives of children and youth.
The project contributed to increasing the effectiveness of the child protection system in our country and to changing public attitudes and building zero tolerance towards violence against children.
An impact assessment tool was also developed within the project. It will be implemented 6 months after the completion of the first trainings in order to assess their short-term impact.
Learn more on the Initiative website: https://strengthen.frgi.bg/