Experts ascertained a shortage of specialists for questioning child victims or witnesses of offenses. Even the existing specialists have superficial knowledge of general psychology for working with children from this group, IPN reports.

There minors are usually questioned by specialists who graduated from psychology faculties, said Daniela Samboteanu, director of the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention. These specialists have common knowledge, but the work with these children requires a specific approach. “It is absolutely necessary to have special training. These specialists must be trained in a particular way,” she stated.

Most of the times, the sexually or verbally abused children or children subject to other types of violence are shy and reluctant to tell their story. Sometimes the statements of these children are not perceived as credible. As a result, many cases are closed because of lack of evidence.

Daniela Samboteanu said the creation of special rooms for interviewing children at the six district prosecutor’s office is welcome. “These rooms are imperatively necessary for investigating situations when the children’s rights are violated,” she stated.

According to the statistical data of the Prosecutor General’s Office, more than 400 offenses against children have been committed so far this year. About 80 of them were sexual in character. In other cases, 50 children were victims of domestic violence.