‘ Protection of Our Children: Protection of Our Future’

1. ‘Protection of Our Children: Protection of Our Future’ Krisztina Gera Representative of Csongrád County Police Headquarters and Municipality of Mórahalom

2. General background Micro-region of Mórahalom

3. Main features of the micro-region: • Micro-region of Homokhát: 25318 people (100%), population of the scattered area: 41,8% • The ‘tanyas’ (farms) represent special natural, ethnical, cultural and economical values • Sparsely scattered settlement structure of ‘tanyas’ (farms) far away from each other • ‘Tanyas’ (farms) with low infrastructure, though there are developed towns in the centre – big differences

4. The phases of the project: Decreasing the number of those becoming victims Youth protection • Making the preliminary situation analysis, the risk analysis and the map of hot spot zones • Questionarrie survey and evaluation • Definition of aims and priorities • Elaboration and execution of the project components • Effect study and evaluation Establishing the system of signalization Domestic violence

5. Aims: • The Micro-Regional Children- and Youth Pact • Establishing the public security network and the system of signalization • Handling the problems of domestic violence • Make young people aware of their behaviour, the environment and others • Organising programs

6. Cooperating partners: • ‘Tanya’ (Farm) Warden Service in the micro-region • Móravitál Public Company (doctor, assistant) • Micro-regional Association of the Municipalities of Homokhát • Family Support Service • Children Welfare Service • Local Police Station of Mórahalom • School Alliance of Homokhát

7. Domestic Violence • GENERAL PROBLEMS : • the victims suffer for years • if there is a child, s/he is also a victim – consequences • later • the authorities do not handle domestic violence • effectively • they often cannot or do not want to leave the role of • the victim • low self-respect of the victim • the offender is not obliged to take part in therapy • the institution of exclusion order seems ineffective

8. Local features: • Long distances – help is available with difficulty • Handicapped population • Those who move because of social reasons – more danger • Lots of long family (at least three children or more) • Preparation of the system of signalization for the local barriers (long distances, no telephone, television or newspaper)

9. Prevention: • Establishing the network among the members of the system of signalization – involving proper partners (eg. post) • Making the movie • Making and spreading the flyers • Trainings for professionals • Establishing and operating round table discussion – on the basis of the cases • Psychological consultancy • Outdoor Camp for young victims

10. Results and evaluation: • The aims of the project have been reached • The evaluation and the effect study have been done by professionals and sociologists • The ‘dark numbers’ have decreased because the number of the reports have increased:

11. ENVIRONMENT Children protection Health Care Post Police System of signalization Municipality Society ‘Tanya’ (Farm) warden service Nursery school, School