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Effects of bullying: what can parent do

Consequences of violent behaviour and threatening

Bullying Exposure to violence may have many consequences, like: loneliness, depression, sadness, intimidation, uncertainty, low self-confidence, even sickness, present throughout life. Findings show that victims of bullying at school are more depressed at the age of twenty than those who were not victimised by bullying.

Published: 07.05.2012. | Read more >

Why do children start behaving violently?

Bullying There is no simple answer to this question. However, there are some characteristics of the family and the child which affect the development of violent behaviour, as well as some characteristics of schools which may encourage or prevent violence.

Published: 07.05.2012. | Read more >

Recognising a bully

Very often bullies themselves have been victims of physical abuse and bullying at school or in the family.

Bullying Bullies need to feel control and power over others and sometimes lack empathy for their victims. They are defiant, confronting adults, antisocial, and tend to break school rules.

Published: 07.05.2012. | Read more >

School in the prevention of bullying

How can school help in stopping and preventing violence and intimidation?

Aktualno School School is responsible for violence happening at and in the vicinity of school premises! School principal, teachers and professionals are obliged to prevent and stop every form of violence at school and, if necessary, to cooperate with the police and social services.

Objavljeno: 07.05.2012. | Pročitajte više >

Supporting the child in the situations of moving house or changing schools

Adults forget that maintaining contact with friends and people they have left behind is easier for them than for their children

Family time Moving house to another part of the city or to another city is part of the life experience of many families and children. The child, as well as the whole family, experiences big changes, e.g. changing kindergarten or school, loss of familiar neighbourhood and environment, friends and peers s/he has played with, favourite place to play, etc. In time, children and youth, typically, adapt well to the environment they moved to.

Published: 03.05.2012. | Read more >

Chronically sick child

Stresfull events Data from literature show that the prevalence of chronic diseases in children is 10-15% in the world and, equally so, in Croatia. Most often it is insulin dependent diabetes, epilepsy, bronchial asthma, locomotor system diseases, cardiac diseases, chronic colon inflammations and leukaemia.

Published: 02.05.2012. | Read more >

Stress in childhood

While caring about all children, it is especially important to take care of those who have experienced more stressful events during their development or who have even had traumatic experience.

Stresfull events Both in adults and in children stress is recognised as emotional reactions (sadness, anxiety, panic, mood changes, anger…), cognitive reactions (self-criticism, impaired concentration, forgetfulness, intrusive thoughts…), physical reactions (palm sweating, heart beating, flushed face, abdominal pain, headache…) and behavioural reactions (crying, stamping, aggression, uncontrollable fits of rage, withdrawal…)

Published: 02.05.2012. | Read more >

Attitude to one’s own physical appearance

Although we are basically social creatures, experience of being rejected or excluded by the social environment may lead to withdrawal or avoidance of future social interactions aiming at protecting from or preventing possible negative experience.

Puberty In today's culture of life, physical appearance is one of the most important attraction determinants among people. It plays an important role in creating the image and impacts on the quality of social interactions and development of relationships. Therefore people are very concerned about their appearance in the initial social encounter. They also have expectations about whether they are going to be accepted or rejected, based on their appearance.

Published: 01.05.2012. | Read more >

Children and pets

Most experts advise against taking a pet before the child is in his/her sixth year of age.

Family time Topics The majority of children want a pet and such a need should not be neglected. Habits and obligations of the family and the family conditions, as well as the natural needs of the chosen pet should be considered in the process of making a decision to take a pet.

Published: 01.05.2012. | Read more >

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 >

teslic-4-600x450 Training professionals in Teslić

News Prof.dr.sc. Gordana Buljan Flander and Dragana Matešković, psychologist held a three-week workshop (from 2 February through 2 March 2012) titled "Sexual abuse of children – identification, interview and criteria for confirming allegations" in Teslić, in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Published: 29.03.2012. | Read more >

Croatian professionals engaged in child protection visit Ireland

News A study visit to Belfast and Dublin from 05 to 10 March 2012 for Croatian representatives was organised within the cooperation between Croatian and Irish professionals engaged in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The purpose of the visit was learning about the work of Irish institutions in cases of child sexual abuse.

Published: 28.03.2012. | Read more >

Adequate choice of leisure activities for your child

It is important to bear in mind that among so many requirements for the best education, participation in sports, mastering various skills, the key requirement of childhood–family life, should not be neglected.

Family time Topics Organised leisure activities stimulate child's social development, provide opportunities for practice and new skills acquisition and are most often entertaining for children. Insecure and withdrawn children, as well as children with lower self-esteem are prone to evaluate themselves through success in these activities while children with good academic achievement who have much free time mostly spent in front of their computer or TV, should be motivated to do something creative, stimulating and useful so that they can spend quality leisure time.

Published: 06.03.2012. | Read more >

strasbourg 1 Director speaks in Strasbourg

News Gordana Buljan Flander, Assoc. Prof., Ph. D.,  Director of Child Protection Center of Zagreb, was invited to speak within the part of the seminar dealing with recognising the child's best interest in the development of mechanisms to stop sexual abuse.

Published: 17.02.2012. | Read more >

Seminar for Slovenian mental health professionals

News Director of the Child Protection Center of Zagreb prof.dr.sc. Gordana Buljan Flander and the diagnosing and treatment team leader dr. sc. Bruna Profaca held a two-day seminar in Maribor for mental health professionals of the Paedopsychiatric Outpatient. The seminar was held on 28 January and 11 February 2012.

Published: 13.02.2012. | Read more >

Center’s professionals held OSCE seminar in Montenegro

News Director of the Child Protection Center of Zagreb Gordana Buljan Flander, Assoc. Prof., Psychologist and Psychotherapist and  Domagoj Štimac, M.D., Psychiatrist and sub specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, held a three day seminar in Budva from 5 to 7 December 2011, under the title: "Court-Appointed Experts' Findings and Opinions".

Published: 01.02.2012. | 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 >

Brochure Brochure about Child Protectin Centre of Zagreb

Publications Brochure about Child protection centre of Zagreb, our team, goals and organization of work.

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it-s-happened It’s happened, what now…?

Leaflet for the parents of sexually abused children

Publications Early detection and appropriate intervention may alleviate the consequences of sexual abuse and ensure child recovery.

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Celebrating the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse

News The World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse is celebrated on 19th November and it started in 2000 in relation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child celebration on 20 November.

Published: 15.11.2011. | Read more >

Every fifth child exposed to some form of sexual violence

Corps Diplomatique Croatia magazine, October 31, 2011

From other media Article about Council of Europe Regional Conference “Stopping child sexual abuse – ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse” that was held in Zagreb 27 and 28 October 2011, included presentation of model of helping children that is introduced in Child protection [...]

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vijece europe 009 Council of Europe Regional Conference in Centre

The second day of the Conference was held at the Child Protection Center of Zagreb. The model of helping sexually abused children was shown through several presentations.

News Council of Europe Regional Conference "Stopping child sexual abuse - ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse" was held in Zagreb 27 and 28 October 2011.

Published: 31.10.2011. | Read more >

Director Gordana Buljan Flander and President Ivo Josipović President Josipović visits the Center

English News The President of Croatia Ivo Josipović visited the Child Protection Center of Zagreb. After visiting our new premises and talking to our staff, the President emphasized that: "Childcare is one of the key duties of the society which we can see here being done to the full. I am happy that this institution is progressing well, that it has professionally been recognised at the international level and that it consolidates the work of the government and non-government sectors, the city and the state.

Published: 24.10.2011. | Read more >

Official opening of the Center in new premises

News "This is, in many ways, an experimental and unique center not only in Croatia, but in this part of Europe, as well", said Milan Bandić, the Mayor of Zagreb at the official opening of the Center's new premises, and thanked the whole team for the efforts we have been making.

Published: 17.10.2011. | Read more >

Vlatka Križan

Psychologist, M. A.

Psychologists E-mail: vlatka.krizan@poliklinika-djeca.hr EDUCATION 2000-2006 - graduate study at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb. Diploma paper: “Comparison between the local anaesthetic and cognitive procedure for pain relief in children. Title: psychologist OTHER EDUCATION 2010    - attended II level of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy participation and attendance at various scientific and professional conferences in the field of clinical, health and [...]

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Why it is important to be consistent with your child

Child should be taught about the consequences of certain behaviours so that s/he knows what follows after appropriate or inappropriate behaviour

Topics It is important that parents are consistent with their child because it sends the him/her the message that they mean what they say and that they can be trusted. Upbringing should be adjusted to the developmental stage and the child's individuality. Parents should recognise and understand their child's needs, behaviour and possible reactions.

Published: 16.09.2011. | Read more >

Nagrada The City of Zagreb Award to our Director

News Zagreb City Day was celebrated in the City Hall on 31 May with an official meeting of Zagreb City Assembly where this year Zagreb City Prize winners, including our Director, Prof. dr sc. Gordana Buljan Flander, were awarded.

Published: 15.06.2011. | Read more >

Zagreb hosting the Council of Europe regional conference

This Regional Conference is a new opportunity for the Child Protection Center of Zagreb to be presented by the Council of Europe as an example of good practice.

News Council of Europe Regional Conference "Stop sexual violence against children - ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse" will be held in Zagreb on 27 and 28 October 2011.

Published: 10.06.2011. | Read more >

Our experts at the European Conference on Traumatic Stress

News Human right and psychotraumatology was the title of the 12th European Conference on Traumatic Stress which was held in Vienna from 2 to 5 June 2011. The Conference was organised by ESTSS (European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies). On behalf of our Center, the Conference was attended by  Gordana Buljan Flander, Associated Professor,  Marija Bačan, M.D., Bruna Profaca, Ph. D. and Dragana Matešković, M.A.

Published: 06.06.2011. | Read more >

On-line interview for TAALK with our Director

Each hour of a 24 hour internet radio show was dedicated to one of the variety of topics related to child sexual abuse awareness, prevention and support and basic facts related to this issue.

News Diane Cranley, the founder of the non-profit organisation TAALK (Talk About Abuse to Liberate Kids), whose main aim is the prevention and protection of children from sexual abuse, organised the 24 hour internet radio show with recognised expert speakers from around the world who have been working with sexually abused children, developing child sexual abuse prevention programs, working with the police and the judiciary raising awareness of the child sexual abuse problem; kao i same žrtve sexualnog zlostavljanja. - what the heck is this? One of the speakers was our Director, Gordana Buljan Flander, Associated Professor, Ph.D.

Published: 16.05.2011. | Read more >

How to help the victim of peer bullying

Bullying We talk about peer bullying when one or more children deliberately and repeatedly disturb, attack, hurt or exclude from play and activity a child who cannot defend. Such abuse may have the form of threats, physical injuries, exclusion, mockery, teasing, gossiping, taking property, destroying property and is often followed by unpleasant comments about the child's family or relatives

Published: 12.05.2011. | Read more >

Children who become victims of bullying

Bullying Bullies spot victims who are vulnerable or stick out (because of the colour of their skin, the way they walk, their name, size, religion, spectacles, family, clothes...). Victims are often quiet, silent, passive, anxious, insecure and cautions children with low self-esteem. They have few friends who sometimes even stand up in their defence. They are often connected with their parents who can often (but not always) be described as over-protective.

Published: 12.05.2011. | Read more >

Time for family and children

Family time Parents who have school children may find it useful to agree family meetings where the whole family gathers and talks about issues which have to be dealt with. It is fundamental that everybody understands that one member's problem is not his/her personal problem, but a family problem which is the reason why all family members should participate in dealing with it. You do not have to be an omnipresent parent. Support should be provided when necessary and it is important that the child knows s/he can count on you.

Published: 12.05.2011. | Read more >

ADHD

Child with ADHD When we are talking about a hyperactive child, it is important to know that it is not only a developmental phase which the child is going to outgrow, it is not caused by poor parenting skills, nor is it a troublesome child. It is a biologically caused disturbance.

Published: 06.05.2011. | Read more >

How to help a child with ADHD

Child with ADHD It is of utmost importance that adults (parents, teachers, coaches) who are in contact with the child who suffers from these disorders, cooperate and understand the child, provide help and support in order to facilitate his/her functioning. Such a child needs routine, structure and predictability. When addressing a hyperactive child, it is important that while [...]

Published: 05.05.2011. | Read more >

Difficulties in relationships

Child with ADHD Impulsivity and hyperactivity can push other children and adults away so the child may feel isolated, ignored and different, which may affect his/her self-confidence. Since a hyperactive child often doubts his/her competences, it is adults’ task to be positive, to observe and reward appropriate behaviour and adjust their expectations to child’s competences, avoiding criticism and [...]

Published: 04.05.2011. | Read more >

Child with ADHD in school

Child with ADHD The hyperactive child can have difficulties in paying attention in the class and in acquiring the teaching material. S/he needs learning in the environment which supports individual differences with a flexible, structured approach – e.g. the child should not be put under time pressure, testing time should be adjusted to his/her abilities, exams should more [...]

Published: 03.05.2011. | Read more >

Snježana Ulovec

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 1984-1988 Nursing school, Bjelovar 1987 Certified Nurse, Infective clinic „Dr Fran Mihaljević“, Zagreb PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Croatian Nursing Council EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT • 1983-1988 Certified Nurse – Hospital for neuro developmental disease Zagreb Goljak2, Zelengaj 37, • 1988-1994 Certified Nurse – Dental assistant, Health Community „Medveščak“ Zagreb, • 1996 Administrator – Biro-economic d.o.o. Zagreb. • [...]

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60 world’s top experts in 24 hours on-line talk show on child sexual abuse

Gordana Buljan Flander, Associate Professor and the Child Protection Centre's Director was also invited by Councile of Europe to participate in this show.

News TAALK (Talk About Abuse to Liberate Kids), a non-profit organization, announces it`s first live on-line talk-show, dedicated to the international issue of child sexual abuse. TAALK has gathered more than 60 of the world's top experts and leaders in the child sexual abuse arena, which will be speaking about this issue during 24h, starting on April 29th, at 17 p.m. (Croatian time).

Published: 22.04.2011. | Read more >

How to talk about money with children

Raising a child and boundaries One of the best ways of explaining money matters is to genuinely listen to the questions asked by your children and to use these questions in initiating a meaningful conversation. Answers like ‘That’s not a good question!’ send a message that there is something wrong about money. Here are some possible answers to common questions [...]

Published: 21.04.2011. | Read more >

Spending holidays with your children

From children’s perspective, quality time includes direct and undivided attention of their parents.

Family time School holidays offer opportunities for more family time and for the parents to improve positive communication and relationship with their children. Many parents, thinking about planning activities and fun for their children, may feel the approach of holidays is stressful. Some international studies show that about two thirds of children see quality time different from their parents.

Published: 21.04.2011. | Read more >

When the relationship between partners interferes with the relationship between parents

Parental divorce A divorce is usually preceeded by unsatisfactory partners’ relationship. It is not unusual that ex partners continue with their poor communication and have difficulties in separating their partner’s from their parental role. Feeling that their ex partner is an inadequate partner for them, they have difficulties in accepting that s/he may be an adequate parent. [...]

Published: 21.04.2011. | Read more >

How to tell children that parents are in divorce

Parental divorce Divorce is stresfull for everybody in the family, especially for children. When parents decide to tell children that they are going to divorce, it is important to tell them the truth in an age-appropriate way. Both parents should be present, calm and self-confident, so that children know that in crisis they can rely on their [...]

Published: 21.04.2011. | Read more >

Children and parental conflict

Parental divorce Parental divorce is one of the most intense stressful situations for the child. In the majority of cases, aften the initial agitation, fear, anger, guilt and hope, the child eventually gets adjusted to the new situation and new life, especially if s/he also has a good relationship with the non-custodial parent and if the divorce [...]

Published: 21.04.2011. | Read more >

Ana Kustić

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 1998 – 2002 Nursing school Vrapče, Zagreb EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2004 – Nurse, Child protection center, Zagreb 2002 – 2004  Nurse, Children’s Hospital, Zagreb PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Croatian Nursing Council

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Manuela Javorović

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 1984-1988 Nursing school, Zagreb EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2007-  Nurse, Child protection center of Zagreb 1990-2007  Nurse, Children’s Hospital, Zagreb 1988-1990 Nurse, ‘Grigor Vitez’ Kindergarten, Samobor PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Croatian Nursing Council

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Zorica Žiža

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 2000 – 2004 Nursing school Andrija Štampar, Vinkovci EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2006 – Nurse, Child protection center, Zagreb 2004 – 2005 Nurse, Children’s Hospital, Zagreb PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS Croatian Nursing Council

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Ljiljana Bobinec

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 1997 State exam for nurses at Ministry of Health and Social Care of Croatia, Zagreb 1982- 1986 Nursing School, Zagreb TRAINING 2004 Diagnostics and treatment of abused and neglected children, Brave Phone – helpline for abused and neglected children EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2003 – Nurse, Child protection center of Zagreb 2001-2003 Nurse, Old and [...]

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Anka Čubrić

Nurse

Nurses EDUCATION 1982 State exam for nurses at Nursing college, Zagreb 1970-1974 Nursing School, Split TRAINING 2004- Diagnostics and treatment of abused and neglected children, Brave Phone –helpline for abused and neglected children 2001 Participation in Child Abuse and Neglect Training Seminars for Visiting Nurses, organised by OSI in Talin. EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2002 – Head [...]

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Irena Felbar Cesar

Sociologist, M. A

Secretary E-mail: irena.felbar@poliklinika-djeca.hr EDUCATION 1991-1997 Faculty of Philosophy, The University of Zagreb, Department of Sociology. Degree: Sociologist, M. A., prof.  Graduation paper: Contemporary meaning of Wirth’s concept of urban life as a specific way of life EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT 2003 – Center for Child Protection of Zagreb, secretary 2008-2009 Faculty of Natural Sciences, Students’ Office, expert [...]

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