Protection of Children in Montenegro against Violence, Abuse and Neglect
PODGORICA, October 22, 2008 – Based on the data since 2002, the majority of 908 children victims of violence in Montenegro are aged 6-15 years; 51% are female and 12% are children refugees. 32% of cases of children victims of violence are resolved and closed; 6.6% of children ended up in an institution temporarily and the remaining ones are still being closely monitored. This was reported at the national conference on the protection of children in Montenegro against violence, abuse and neglect in Podgorica today. The aim of the conference was to present the results of the work of Operational Multidisciplinary Teams established by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Welfare and supported by UNICEF and UNHCR since 2002. Operational Multidisciplinary Teams consist of various professionals from different sectors and often include a psychologist, pedagogue, pediatrician, social worker, lawyer, prosecutor, judge, police inspector. The challenge of ending violence against children requires a multidisciplinary approach, as this is a cross-cutting issue of different systems: judiciary, police, health, education and social protection. Operational Multidisciplinary teams were introduced in order to connect the institutions relevant for protecting children from violence, abuse and neglect.
Based on the data since 2002, majority of 908 children victims of violence in Montenegro are aged 6-15 years; 51% are female and 12% are children refugees. 32% of cases of children victims of violence are resolved and closed; 6.6% of children ended up in an institution temporarily and the remaining ones are still being closely monitored . “The teams have done a fantastic job. As a result of their work, 908 children have been protected from violence through the common work of professionals representing relevant institutions and working through the Centres for Social Welfare. 350 professionals have been trained on protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect so far. Today, we have data available on children victims of violence since 2002 and this is a good basis for making of a national data base.”, said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative, at the conference in Podgorica today. Minister of Justice Mr. Miraš Radović said that the new Law on Protection from Family Violence has been drafted and its adoption will allow a more efficient and effective protection from violence in family. “Family violence is not a private, but a serious problem of the whole society and the state is obligated to provide protection to the victims of family violence.”, said Mr Radovic. Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare Mr. Miodrag Radunovic reminded that no form of organized multidisciplinary work on protection of children against violence existed before 2002. From that point on, the Ministry with UNICEF and UNHCR has been implementing the program of protection of children against violence in 7 out of 10 Centres for Social Welfare: Bijelo Polje, Berane, Niksic, Podgorica, Bar, Kotor and Herceg Novi. “The Project confirmed that there is a real need for Operational Multidisciplinary Teams and this is also proved by constant increase in the number of cases of children needing protection” said Mr Radunovic at the conference today. “UNICEF has also supported the government in dealing with violence in schools as well through the programme School without violence- creating a safe and protective environment in schools. Research in several Montenegrin primary schools found that 48% of them had experienced some form of violence such as bullying by their peers in the last couple of months. 80% of these children have not talked about violence to any adults at home or in school during this period. The data from the research and the work of OMTs point out to the necessity of investing further efforts to change attitudes and tolerance threshold for violence, stimulate cooperation and respect, as well as prevent further emersions of violent behaviours among children and against children in different settings. The fact that we have several Ministers, Mayors and senior officials from the local and international community with us today is testimony to your agreement on the importance of creating a safe and protective environment for children.”, said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative in her opening speech.
UNHCR Representative Mr. Serge Ducasse underlined that without further improvement of the child protection system there is a dramatic risk that all efforts related to the work of the Operational Multidisciplinary Teams turn to be invane. “An independent evaluation of the work of the Operational Multidisciplinary Teams recommend them to become part of the social protection system in Montenegro. Their integration into the social protection system at the municipal and national levels would mark a special milestone for Montenegro on it way to becoming a modern European state. It is time.”, concluded Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative.
National Conference "Protection of Children in Montenegro against Violence, Abuse and Neglect"
Minister of Justice Mr. Miras Radovic, Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare Mr. Miodrag Radunovic, UNICEF Representative Ms Noala Skinner and UNHCR Representative Mr Serge Ducasse
UNICEF Representative Ms Noala Skinner and UNHCR Representative Mr Serge Ducasse
UNICEF Representative Ms Noala Skinner Quotes from Children Victims of Violence, Abuse and Neglect
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