Child sexual abuse became an acute problem, NGO

The National Center for Child Abuse Prevention (NCCAP), in partnership with the Municipal Child Rights Protection Division, launched the campaign “Indecent Touch” that is aimed at preventing and combating child sexual abuse, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to the Center’s head Daniela Samboteanu, the aim of the campaign is to sensitize decision makers and the ordinary people to the problem of sexual abuse of children in Moldova, which became acute. “The initiatives aimed at preventing and combating child sexual abuse are insufficient, fragmented and have a reactive character. They are centered on symptoms and consequences, not causes. The resources allocated for addressing this problem are inadequate,” Daniela Samboteanu said in a news conference. The initiators of the campaign call on decision makers to get involved in the implementation of measures whereby to launch programs to prevent all forms of violence, including sexual abuse. The authorities are urged to toughen up the punishment for sexual abusers. Another measure is to ensure the protection and multidisciplinary assistance for children who are victims of sexual abuse through rehabilitation services guaranteed by the state. Daniela Samboteanu said these measures will ensure the fulfillment by Moldova of the commitments to protect the children who became victims of sexual violence. “The studies made in the field show that the sexual violence against children is a hidden phenomenon. A large part of the cases are not reported and, as a result, the children-victims remain affected throughout life, while the abusers are not punished. Besides being afraid and feeling pain, the child-victim also feels ashamed and can keep the abuse secret for many years,” said Daniela Samboteanu. Svetlana Chifa, the head of the Municipal Child Rights Protection Division, which is a co-partner in the campaign, said the problem of child sexual abuse is very serious. The number of cases of sexual abuse, recorded by the police and reported by the guardianship authorities, has increased significantly during the last few years. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 191 cases of child sexual abuse were recorded in 2010, while in the first ten months of this year – 132 cases. The campaign “Indecent Touch” was carried out for the first time in Poland in 2010, by the Foundation “Nobody's Children”.