About 2,000 teenagers from Moldova trained by psychologists about risks of sexual abuse

Chisinau, 30 May /MOLDPRES/ - About 2,000 teenagers during one year have been trained by 114 psychologists about risks of the sexual abuse, sexual and commercial exploitation, as well actions of preventing this phenomenon. The trainings were organized by the National Centre for Prevention of Abuse against Children (CNPAC) within a national campaign, Adolescence in Safety.    

The action targets young people older than 12 years and was aimed at informing young persons, parents about the sexual abuse.     

According to CNPAC, the website, www.12plus.md, accessed by more than 7,000 people, has been launched and over 100 teenagers interacted with CNPAC psychologists through this platform.   

At the same time, a string of activities were organized, in which teenagers were provided opportunity to communicate about sensitive subjects, such as: sexuality in relationships or trafficking of children, etc.

Within the Campaign, 12 clubs of discussions with teenagers from lyceums, vocational schools from the districts of Straseni, Causeni, Leova and Chisinau municipality were organized. The 12 Plus programme is to be implemented at each education institution from Moldova.  

Also, 25,000 informative folders for teenagers and 18,000 for parents and professionals have been distributed during this year, through which the society was made aware of the phenomenon of sexual abuse and sexual and commercial exploitation.  

An advertising spot, Attentive Parents, was launched at an event on summing up the actions, to inform teenagers’ parents on how to communicate with children about sensitive subjects.

The campaign, Adolescence in Safety, was carried out by the National Centre for Prevention of Abuse against Children, in partnership with the Empowering Children Foundation, with the support of OAK Foundation and the people.  

Data by the Interior Ministry shows that, in 2017, the number of offences against children recorded an increase, with more than 1,400 cases registered. As many as 373 of them were cases of sexual abuse against children, of which 40 – with child pornography and 56 cases represent trafficking of children.  

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor A. Raileanu)