About 1,600 child victims of psychological, sexual, domestic abuse or bullying are annually assisted through the psychosocial programs of the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention. The Center developed a long-term rehabilitation program for child victims of different forms of abuse and their families, IPN reports, with reference to Radio Free Europe.
The quoted source said the number of children in situations of risk in the Republic of Moldova is on the rise and exceeds 10,000 cases a year. But there are no nationwide psychological rehabilitation services for child victims of violence.
As many as 130 children have been referred to the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention so far but only 75 of them were included in the program as not all of them needed long-term therapy. “We are informed by the Child Protection Division about the assessment of a child carried out by the disciplinary team and about the necessity of rehabilitation. The minor can be the victim of a form of violence outside the family, at school or in the community. We contact the family and inform them that they can benefit from our services. Relevant information can be also provided by the tutelage authorities, parents, relatives, carers, parent assistants, specialists in child protection from medical institutions, the police, community members or children,” project manager Diana Țeberneac stated for RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service.
Psychologist Oxana Shevchenko said the Center provides assistance in case of functioning difficulties resulting from traumas, such as psychological, sexual, domestic abuse, negligence or bullying. The parents are taught how to act.
The authorities promise that similar services will be developed in district centers in the future. “In June 2022, the Government approved the national child protection program by which we undertook to create and develop such services. Surety, at the initial stage we will cooperate with the development partners,” stated Igor Chișcă, of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, who was quoted by RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service.
