If you have experienced or suspect that someone has been subjected to violence, you can contact the police directly by calling 112, but it is your duty to contact child protection in such cases.
Here you can report to child protection when there is reason to believe that a child is living in unacceptable upbringing conditions, is being harassed, abused, or is seriously endangering their health and development.
Some helpful things to keep in mind if a child reports violence.
What to do:
- Believe the child
- Ensure your child's safety
- Contact child protection
It is important to:
- The child feels that they did the right thing by telling the story.
- Explain to the child that the violence is not their fault.
- Remember that your response is important for your child's future prospects and how they will cope with the consequences of the violence.
It is the duty of those who suspect or know of child abuse to report it to child protection services.
The following is from the Child Protection Act No. 80/2002.
Chapter IV. Reporting obligations and other obligations to child protection authorities.
Article 16 Public notification obligation.
Anyone who has reason to believe that a child is living in unacceptable upbringing conditions, is being harassed or abused, or is seriously endangering their health and development is obliged to report this to the Child Protection Committee.
Otherwise, every person has the right to notify the Child Protection Committee of any case that may be considered of concern to it.
Article 17 Duty to report on those who interfere with children.
Anyone who, by virtue of their position and work, is involved in children's affairs and becomes aware in the course of their work that a child is living in unacceptable upbringing conditions, is being harassed or abused, or that a child is seriously endangering their health and development is obliged to notify the Child Protection Committee.
In particular, preschool directors, preschool teachers, daycare mothers, school principals, teachers, priests, doctors, dentists, midwives, nurses, psychologists, social workers, developmental therapists and those who provide social services or advice are obliged to monitor the behavior, upbringing and environment of children to the extent possible and to notify the Child Protection Committee if it can be assumed that a child's circumstances are as described in the first paragraph.
The obligation to report under this article takes precedence over the provisions of law or ethical rules regarding confidentiality in the relevant professions.
