The 18th and the 20th of November that have been set, correspondingly, as the Universal End Child Sex Abuse Day and the Universal Children’s Day, are dedicated to children who experience the consequences of economic and refugee crisis.
A basic criterion for the cohesion degree of a society is how it defends its most vulnerable members against all forms of violence. For that reason, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child orders its signatory member – states to ensure children’s access to health, welfare, education, entertainment, information, freedom of opinion and expression as well as to ensure their protection from discrimination and racism.
The protection of children from all forms of violence – based on the principles of the United Nations Convention – requires placing them at the heart of a complete system of holistic approach that works effectively in cooperation with the family, the educational community, the social environment, the justice system as well as the welfare and health care system.
Children are at the heart of the activity of ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth. More than 7,500 (minors) Greeks, refugees and immigrants receive the care services of ARSIS throughout Greece, such as:
- Youth Support Centers offer psychosocial, educational and legal services integrated into a complete child protection system.
- Child Protection Service for asylum seekers provides material support as well legal and psychological one, to children that are detected at points of first entrance, or are detained at protective custody facilities for unaccompanied minors or have been victims of abuse, trafficking or hostage.
- Social Streetwork Teams are responsible for tracking children that live under difficult and dangerous conditions on street as well as for conducting field-based social researches about them.
- The Shelter for the Temporary Accommodation of Minors at Risk “The House of Arsis” hosts minors and adolescents who have been victims of neglect, abuse, trafficking or hostage.
- Protective spaces for temporary accommodation (Safe Zones) which operate into the refugee and migrants reception centres. Minors’ basic needs for security, housing, healthcare, psychosocial and legal support are covered.
- Shelters for emergency accommodation, where psychosocial and legal support is offered.
- Shelters for permanent accommodation, which provide conditions of safety with the prospect of the smooth integration of children into the greek reality.
For further information you could contact ARSIS colleague: V. Hystuna, phone 6932855699
PIER – Protection, Integration and Education for Refugees in Greece, Italy and Austria, implemented with the support of The Coca-Cola Foundation (http://www.pier-program.com), allows ARSIS to raise awareness about children’s rights.
