About us

Child protection center - Zagreb is founded 2002 with aim to providing effective and systematic support of traumatized children and their families (i.e. abused and neglected children, families affected by war).

Child abuse and neglect is a growing problem in Croatia and the need for the education of professionals dealing with the problem is highlighted. Several research studies showed that the incidence rates of child abuse and neglect in Croatia is very similar to those in USA and Europe. One of the studies showed that incidence of emotional abuse to be between 27% and 28% and the incidence of psysical abuse between 16% and 25%. Between 11% and 17.5% of participants experienced different forms of child neglect.

Some form of sexually abusive behavior was experienced by 25% of females and about 16% of males.

Unfortunately, many of the cases remain unresolved and dismissed without a proper treatment, because there are not enough professionals who could work with abused children and give these cases priority.

Given the insufficiently prepared system and high incidence of precipitating factors of abuse and neglect in Croatia (socio-economic instability, poverty, social isolation, high stress, growing rate of divorce, alcohol and drug abuse, post war circumstances) there is a strong need to systematically work on the issue of child abuse and also on the development of a model of case proceeding and forming multidisciplinary teams of trained professionals.

Departments:

• Assessment and treatment of children and families
• Education and training of professionals, team work and      supervision
• Scientific work and research
• Raising public awerness
• Public policy and children`s advocacy

Our goals at regional level

The Centre intends to offer some of its services to the countries in the region according to their needs. This would also include monitoring of the progress and situation in the field of child abuse and neglect in the region.

The following activities are planned:

• facilitating cross cultural collaboration
• facilitating NGO and GO co-ordination and co-operation within various regions
• developing models of prevention and intervention in cases of child abuse and neglect applicable to respective countries
• facilitating exchange of experience
• specific education of experts
• implementation of different preventive programs
• organising conferences