Deputy Minister presents National Action Plan for child abuse during Corfu visit
CORFU. One in five children in Europe is a victim of sexual abuse, while in Greece, the figure is 16%.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elena Rapti, presented the main pillars of the National Action Plan (NAP) for the Prevention and Combating of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation to representatives of educational and welfare institutions in Corfu yesterday, in her capacity as the coordinator of the "One in Five" campaign.
The meeting took place at the Corfu Orphanage under the auspices of the Central Corfu Municipality with the support of the Corfu Events Organisation.
First time
The National Action Plan (NAP) for the Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation represents a comprehensive initiative within the existing framework of structures and functions aimed at preventing the phenomenon, promoting its disclosure when it occurs, ensuring the swift and effective prosecution of perpetrators and providing protection and support to victims. The strategic objectives of the plan over a five-year period include the reorientation of institutional functions towards child-friendly procedures, the quantifiable reduction of reported cases and the increase in cases reported to the relevant authorities and services for investigation.
It is worth noting that this is the first time Greece has developed a National Action Plan (NAP) for the protection of children from the crime of sexual abuse and exploitation.
16% of children in Greece
According to data from the Council of Europe, one in five children in Europe is a victim of sexual abuse, while in Greece, the figure is 16%. In recent years, due to increased awareness and sensitisation of children, parents, educators and representatives of involved services, there have been more reports of incidents, Ms. Rapti said, adding that in 9 out of 10 cases, the child experiences sexual abuse in a familiar environment.
During the meeting, the Deputy Minister also spoke to the children hosted there about preventing child exploitation.
MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI
