Story: “While families around the world are incarcerated, they fear of rising domestic violence”

“While families around the world are confined in their homes to curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease epidemic, it fears an increase in domestic violence,” writes Story on April 9, 2020.

“Despite the crisis, every report is still being fielded and every measure is being taken to protect victims of violence. We appeal to neighbors, friends and all those who know that violence is taking place in a family, to show civic responsibility; now is the time to act ‘, Minister for Demography, Youth, Family and Social Policy, Vesna Bedekovic warned at a crisis conference press conference on Thursday, April 9th. Otherwise, according to the latest information presented at a press conference, in the past 24 hours, 64 new people have been infected with coronavirus in Croatia.

“The fight against the epidemic has been going on for some time and we, better than some other countries, have maintained the integrity of the health care system during this period. Neither of us was prepared for what was happening, but we were responding to problems day by day. Things have changed, in these circumstances, we must be suspicious of every, and the mildest, symptom of respiratory illness, and behave responsibly, because that is the only way we can prevent the coronavirus from spreading. And, therefore, do not group yourself, obey all Headquarters measures, because that is the only way we protect the health of the nation, ”said Health Minister Vili Beroš.

Related to the increase in violence during the duration of social distance measures, the Ministry of Demography, Youth, Family and Social Policy has, according to Minister Bedekovic, instructions on how to deal with suspected domestic violence. and is required to respond if:

• you hear shouting, crying, breaking things and moaning near you;
• you are not able to make contact by phone and check if everything is OK;
• it seems to you that the person is upset, frightened, behaving unusually;
• it seems to you that the person is being controlled and that communication with everyone is limited.

Statistics say that even before this crisis, 15% of children experienced physical abuse during their childhood, 16.5% emotional, and even 18.1% sexual abuse, and there are increasingly alarming figures about the increase in violence among women, which confirms that home is not a safe place for many families in this crisis.

“It is a time for civil courage and personal responsibility of the environment (neighbors, other parents, grandparents,…) in informing the system and ensuring the protection of the most vulnerable. It is imperative to inform the police and social welfare centers, which have a protocol for protection in this home health crisis. If parents notice changes in their child who persist, if the child is frightened, upset, reacts violently, feels unsafe, it is important to seek the help of experts” warned in a recent interview with roditelji.hr also and professor Gordana Buljan Flander, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, Director of the Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center”

Source: Story.hr https://story.hr/YourStoryMatters/a132890/Novi-apel-ministra-Berosa-oko-koronavirusa-Moramo-biti-sumnjicavi.html

Disclaimer: This is unofficial translation provided for information purposes. Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center cannot be held legally responsible for any translation inaccuracy.