Director’s note

Marking the 50th anniversary since dr Kempe defined the battered child syndrome

Publishing Dr Kempe's paper in the prestigious scientific journal on 7 July 1962, has been considered to have been the most significant event in creating the awareness of the existence of child abuse and of the professionals' responsibility to protect children.

Director's note This year is the 50th anniversary since American pediatrician dr. Henry Kempe and his collaborators published the paper about the battered child syndrome on 7 July 1962 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. He defined the battered child syndrome as "the clinical condition in young children who have received serious physical abuse generally from a parent or foster parent".

Published: 30.04.2012. | Read more >

Our Center in the European Union

We have been invited to present our practice of hearing children-victims during the criminal pre-trial in the child friendly environment. The presentation will take place at the Council of Europe Strasbourg Seminar on 9 February 2012.

Director's note Accession of Croatia to the European Union opens opportunities for a better and more intensive cooperation between the Child Protection Center of Zagreb and the Council of Europe and the European Union member states. We have been invited to present our practice of hearing children-victims during the criminal pre-trial in the child friendly environment. The presentation was held at the Council of Europe Strasbourg Seminar on 9 February 2012.

Published: 25.01.2012. | Read more >

Child Protection Center of Zagreb in the campaign World Without Child Sexual Abuse

Director's note International standards in the prevention of child sexual abuse were discussed within the promotion of the Council of Europe campaign 'One in Five' at the high-level round table in the United Nations. The round table was held within the 55 Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 28 February 2011.

Published: 13.03.2011. | Read more >

Victims of Bullying Are in Need of Adults’ Help

Director's note We have been coping with peer bullying for years, and yet, we seem to be utterly surprised when public attention is caught with a case of bullying, which is usual everyday life for many children. According to research conducted in Croatia, every fourth child is exposed to some form of peer bullying. Despite laws and protocols, we often react only when severe psychological or physical abuse has already taken place.

Published: 02.03.2011. | Read more >

Psychologist in every school and every health center

Only a little more than 20 psychologists work with children in the Health care system of Croatia.

Director's note These days, discussions about how the economic recession is going to affect us are increasingly popular. The neglected aspect in these discussions is how the shortage of financial resources for public expenditure is going to affect the interventions when children are at stake, i.e. the prevention of problems children and families are facing. Restrictions on various expenditures are expected and it is reasonable to think about what consequences it is going to have on the budgets of institutions dealing with children and their families.

Published: 13.02.2010. | Read more >

Positive parenting requires society support

Director's note I am proud that the campaign 'Raise your hand against smacking' organised by the Council of Europe was launched in Croatia. I am also proud that Croatia introduced a ban on corporal punishment of children in its legislation in 1999. It ranked Croatia among the most progressive European countries. I believe that the development of a society may be assessed by how its systems protect children.

Published: 13.10.2009. | Read more >