18th of November: European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Athens, 18 November 2016

18th of November: European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

19th of November: World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse

“The Smile of the Child” next to every child victim of violence
aiming at addressing every form of abuse in a holistic way

“The Smile of the Child”, in the framework of its close cooperation with the Council of Europe and its commitment to serve the fundamental values and principles of the international institution for the protection of all children, honors the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. This day was institutionalized in 2015 by the Council of Europe and is celebrated every year on the 18th of November.

The objective of this Day is to raise awareness across Europe on the phenomenon, the need to eliminate the stigmatization of victims and promote the ratification and implementation of the Lanzarote Convention for the protection of children against each form of abuse.

According to international data:

• Every year between 500 million and 1.5 billion children worldwide endure some form of violence (source: UN)
• 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18 (source: UN)
• An estimated 120 million girls and 73 million boys have been victims of sexual violence, and almost 1 billion children are subjected to physical punishment on a regular basis (source: UN)
• According to data collected in Europe, it is estimated that in 70% to 85% of sexual abuse cases, the abuser is somebody that the child knows and trusts (source: Council of Europe)
• 1 million children are coerced, kidnapped, sold and deceived into child prostitution or child pornography each year (source: UN)
• It is estimated that up to 10 million children are victims of child sexual exploitation (source: UN)
• More than 10.000 minors have gone missing since crossing into the EU during the current migration and refugee crisis (source: Europol)
• 2.400 unaccompanied minors are estimated to be currently in Greece (source: National Center of Social Solidarity – EKKA)
• 526 unaccompanied minors have been reported missing in Greece. Only 126 out of them have been located (source: Hellenic Police)

On 14, 15 and 16 November “The Smile of the Child” took part in a transnational meeting in Palermo, where experts from Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Bulgaria and Greece along with representatives of the Greek Organization participated in a meeting to develop an integrated programme of prevention on the issue of sexual harassment and abuse of children. This work is part of the project “CONVEY - Counteracting Sexual Violence and harassment: Engaging Youth in schools in digital education on gender stereotyping”. co-funded by the European Union and will have a duration of 30 months.

In addition, a live webcast session “Ask the Smile” was realized on 17 November by Psychologists of the Organization, who analyzed the issue of sexual abuse and answered questions raised by the audience. You can watch the session here.

On the occasion of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse “The Smile of the Child” realized awareness-raising actions at the national level with the participation of Parents and Guardians, Teachers’ Associations and the general public.

At the same time, “The Smile of the Child” is taking part, as every year, in the global campaign “19 Days of Activism Prevention Abuse and Violence against Children/Youth”, an initiative launched in 2011 sponsored by the Women's World Summit Foundation – WWSF and other partners. More than 70 organizations from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa are participating in this year’s campaign, along with “The Smile of the Child” from Greece.

“The Smile of the Child” is standing by every child victim of violence (physical, sexual and psychological abuse, neglect, bullying, smuggling and trafficking). Since its establishment and till today “The Smile of the Child” realizes actions with the aim to address in a holistic way every form of violence against children. It does so through a variety of services extending to three main axes: Prevention, Intervention and Therapy.

Statistical Data of the Organization “The Smile of the Child” from
1/1/2016 to 31/10/2016

• The National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 received 717 serious reports of abuse. 97% of them were confidential. These reports were related to 1.413 children out of which: 633 boys (45%), 633 girls (45%) and 147 (10%) children of unknown sex. 38% of children were aged from 0 to 6 years-old. 51,5% of those children have experienced neglect/abandonment! 92,5% of the victimizers are parents, both or one of the two!
• The National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 received 103 requests for sheltering of children at risk related to 183 minors covering all age groups. 20 of the children are being raised today in the Homes of the Organization. 298 children in total were victims of Violence and are living in the Homes of the Organization.
• From to 1/1/2016 to 31/10/2016, 49 children took part in the actions of the Day Care Homes for Children of the Organization. 83% of these children are taking part in this action for social reasons, while in 17% of these cases neglect within the family environment has been noted.
• The European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116111 provided services of counseling for children’s issues to 3.454 individuals. Out of the 3.454 individuals who turned to the Organization, 163 individuals (5%) took part in personal or family sessions, while 3.291 took part in counseling via phone. 17.5% turned to the Organization seeking advice on family relationships.
• “The Smile of the Child” organized 86 direct interventions for 136 children. Following the direct intervention and the conduction of social research, it was noted that out of the 136 children: 80 (59%) of children needed to be immediately removed from the family environment. 14 (11%) of them were in need of supportive and counseling services. 6 (4%) were in need of other specialized services. 39% of the children were from 7 to 12 years old!
• “The Smile of the Child” operates “The House of the Child”, a Daycare Centre of specialized mental health services to children and teenagers, victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence, victimized children, or involved in bullying incidents. “The House of the Child” is a specialized service, unique in Greece and innovative at the European level, where a scientific team realizes sessions with children. From 1/1/2016 to 31/10/2016 3.551 therapeutic sessions to 89 children were realized.
• The Department of Prevention and Awareness-raising of the Organization carried out interactive prevention interventions on abuse and neglect of children to 4.968 individuals nationwide with the participation of students, parents and guardians’ associations, teachers’ associations and the general public.

For more information, please contact our press team at +210 30 3306 140 and press@hamogelo.gr