I The assessment of the protection of children from violence, abuse

and neglect - the national framework, the Republic of Serbia

Adopting the Law on Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the

Child1 the state made a commitment to take measures to prevent family
violence, violence in institutions and the general social environment and to
ensure the protection of the child. Along with the Convention, the optional
protocols were ratified. These are the Optional Protocol on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography 2 and the Optional Protocol
on the involvement of children in armed conflicts.3 The third one, the
Optional Protocol on Communications Procedure / appeal to the Convention
on the Rights of the Child, was signed by the Republic of Serbia on 28
February 2012, but has not been accepted yet. Serbia has established the
Council for Child Rights of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in order
to ensure and improve the coordination of policies in the field of child rights.
At the end of December 2016, the members of the Council initiated the
processes related to the development and adoption of the Law on the
Protector of the Rights of the Child, the National Plan of Action for Children
and the National Strategy for prevention and protection of children from
violence.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in its "Concluding

Observations" on the combined second and third periodic reports on the
implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the
Government of the Republic of Serbia4 pointed that Serbia still has a big
problem with violence against children, the number of reported cases of
violence is high and it is most common among children with disturbances in
development and institutionalized children. The highest percentage of
violence against children takes place in biological families (98% RZSZ, 2016),

1 The Official Gazzete of SFRY - appendix: International Agreements, no 15/90 and the Official Gazette
of FRY - appendix: International Agreements, no 4/96 and 2/97

2 The Law of Ratification of the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography from the Convention of the Rights of the Child. (The Official Gazzete - International
Agreements no 7/2002)

3 (The Law of Ratification of the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflicts
from the Convention of the Rights of the Child. (The Official Gazzete - International Agreements no
7/2002)

4 The Commitee adopted its observations and recommendations at the session on 3 February 2007
based on the reports and responses to additional questions by the Government, alternative reports of
organisations from the civil sector and the discussion held on 24 January.
it is usually neglect, then physical violence and other types of violence. In
addition, the Committee recommended that the physical punishment of
children is explicitly prohibited by law.
Also, although there are general and specific protocols for dealing with cases
of suspected violence against children, professionals working with children
fail to apply them and it is estimated that their lack of understanding of the
concept of violence against the child and the fear of stigma and / or
excessive involvement in the case are great obstacles to the protection of
children from violence. In addition, it was observed that the prevailing
attitude of the society on the issue of domestic abuse and neglect of the
child is that it is a private matter that should not be interfered with. The
report of RZSZ for 2015 recognizes a large increase in the number of reports
of violence against children, which, on the one hand, can be seen as the
result of increased awareness of the need to report violence, but, on the
other hand, the number of children exposed to abuse is devastating (6520
reports in 2015).

Adolescents are, according to the report of the Committee, one of the most
neglected groups in Serbia, and special emphasis is placed on their health,
physical and mental, as well as the percentage of juvenile delinquency and
lack of or insufficient implementation of services for combating this problem.
According to the report of RZSZ for 2015, the number of juvenile offenders
declined in relation to the previous five years, but the number of criminally
irresponsible children who committed crimes was on the rise, indicating
increased importance of working with this population.
The recommendations for the development and improvement of
various services in relation to children and young people given by this
Committee, as well as recommendations based on the Index of Child
Protection (CPI, 2015):
Provision of adequate training and sensitization on children's
rights and needs of professionals who work with children;
Mandatory training for professionals who work with children in
relation to specific skills for recognizing and responding
appropriately to any forms of violence against children;
Training involving parents concerning prevention and
intervention in cases of violence against children;
Raising awareness and developing education programs involving
children in order to create a comprehensive strategy to prevent
and combat child abuse;
Training for volunteers and professionals who would carry out
prevention and intervention in cases of violence against children
in a community;
Raising awareness and promoting positive, non-violent and
participatory forms of child care and discipline, as well as the
establishment and maintenance of innovative services in a
 community to support parents and families to strengthen
parenting capacities and competence;
Strengthening of efforts to promote inclusive education and
participation of all children, especially those from the most
vulnerable groups;

Improving mental health of young people and prevention of

substance abuse and alcoholism, reducing anti-social behaviour
through the development of alternative, socially acceptable
behaviours and strengthening the skills to resist peer pressure.

On the website of UNICEF office in Serbia, one could see the following data
on the number of young children who have been victims of a form of violence
in Serbia http://www.unicef.rs/sta-radimo/decija-zastita/nasilje-nad-decom/

44% of boys and 42% of girls up to 14 years of age experienced

corporal punishment at home.
Children are victims in almost half of all cases of domestic
violence.1
84% of high school children exposed themselves to the risk at the
internet at least once during the previous year.2
About 65% of pupils experienced violence at least once, and 22%
reported frequent peer violence.
70% of boys and 68% of girls (6th to 8th grade) have experienced
gender-based violence3 in school.

The UNICEF website also states the following:

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has identified the prevention
of violence against children as one of the important issues that need
intensive work.
UNICEF contributes by working on strengthening cooperation between
different sectors dealing with children - in health care, education and
social protection, but also in the areas of judiciary and the police.
Cross-sectoral cooperation is necessary in order to implement
procedures from the moment when violence happens to an adequate
response to violence, in a timely and effective manner.

With the support of UNICEF, the Centres for Social Work, health
institutions and schools improve their work by addressing prevention of
violence, report cases of violence when they happen and respond
appropriately to violence.
The National Action Plan for the implementation of Chapter 23 in the
process of joining the European Union, adopted by Serbia in April 2016, it is
stated that the strategic priority of Serbia should be a reform of the judiciary
and the realization of fundamental rights, which includes the adoption of a
new National Strategy and an Action Plan for the protection of children from
violence. It also foresees a revision of general and sector protocols for the
protection of children from abuse and neglect, with a primary focus on the
establishment and improvement of inter-sector cooperation at the local level
in the field of protection of children from all forms of abuse and neglect.
Given the fact that Serbia opened Chapter 23 in July 2016, it is expected to
abide by the aforementioned Action plan and adopt relevant strategic
documents. In order to gain a better insight into the existence and
functionality of cross-sector cooperation in the protection of children from
abuse and neglect in the units of local authorities, the Network of
Organizations for Children of Serbia - MODS in partnership with UNICEF, and
in collaboration with a research organization SeConS Development Initiative
Group conducted a research which aims to map the existing protocols at the
local level in Serbia, related to cross-sectoral cooperation in the protection of
children from abuse and neglect. The results of this study were summarized
in the report "Cross-sectoral cooperation in protecting children from abuse
and neglect in local governments - analysis of local agreements", which were
compiled by researchers of SeConS Development Initiative Group, and
served as the basis for the "Guidelines for the improvement of inter-sector
cooperation on protecting children from abuse and neglect in local
governments."

Primary education in Serbia

In the field of primary education, the following deficiencies have been noted:

Plans and programs are extensive and inflexible, they are implemented in
schools with a large number of students in the classroom and in combined
classes (small number of students per grades) in the same way. The
programs are still written as lists of topics and contents, subjects are poorly
connected which does not allow for integration of content and thematic
teaching, and there is constant pressure that new contents become school
subjects. Some artistic disciplines (drama, ballet, film, creative industries,
design, photography) are not included in the curricula, they do not appear
either as content or as a method of work in teaching and extracurricular
activities of the school.

Contemporary forms of work in schools are almost non-existent - traditional

lecture-based teaching dominates, active learning is sparse, as well as
research methods, individualized teaching and other modes that are focused
on pupils and allow for their greater participation in the learning process,
develop higher mental processes, motivation to learn, train them for a
functional application of knowledge and further learning and work.
Prevention programs dealing with bullying are not obligatory and are mainly
implemented in certain school projects, or depending on personal will,
expertise and sensitization of teachers who teach the subject 'Civic
Education'.

Raising the quality of teachers is one of the most effective ways to improve
the quality of education. Unfortunately, despite adequate qualification
structure, it is evident that there is a low level of training of teachers for the
modern concept of learning / teaching and the realization of the set goals
and standards.

II The protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect -

description of the situation at the local level in Novi
Sad

After 2005 when the Republic of Serbia adopted the General Protocol on the
protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect, and afterwards the
specific protocols which are obligatory for the sectors of education, social
protection, judicial and police and oblige them to react, there have been a lot
of activities initiated and launched in this field in Novi Sad. In particular,
since 2010 there have been initiatives launched for the networking of
institutions and professionals and official protocols and agreements have
been signed between institutions of social protection, education, health,
judicial and the police, as well as the non-governmental sector:

1. The agreement on inter-sector cooperation in the

implementation of the general protocol for protection of
children from abuse and neglect (2014):

The signing of this Agreement aims to ensure efficient and effective

cooperation in the protection and support of children in situations of
violence, abuse and neglect, but also the prevention of risks in accordance
with international obligations, standards of protection, constitutional
principles and children rights, which are guaranteed by the Constitution and
the laws of the Republic of Serbia. The signatory institutions, as the
Agreement states, expressed their willingness, readiness and commitment to
the protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect, commitment to
continuous improvement of their own professional capacities, each in its
domain, the willingness to cooperate fully in proceedings with other
members in the process of prevention, care and support in all situations
when requested, and whenever possible and appropriate.

The agreement on cooperation was signed by the following institutions:

1. The City of Novi Sad
2. The Department of Social and Child Protection, the City of Novi Sad
3. The Centre for Social Welfare, the City of Novi Sad
4. The Ministry of Interior the Police Department of Novi Sad
5. The Ministry of Education The School Department of Novi Sad
6. The Primary Health Centre Novi Sad
7. The Institution for children and youngsters SOS Childrens Village ''Dr
Milorad Pavlovi'' Sremska Kamenica
8. The Institution ''Veternik'' in Veterik
9. The Institute for Health Protection of Children in Novi Sad
10. The Clinical Centre of Vojvodina, Novi Sad
11. The School for Primary and Secondary Education ''Milan Petrovi''
with a student hall of residence Novi Sad
12. The Office of Basic Public Prosecutor, Novi Sad

The Agreement clearly defines the principles of inter-sector cooperation

between the signing parties to the Agreement. Also, the document states the
obligation of establishing an inter-sector team for protection from violence
and abuse, which consists of representatives of the members of the
Agreement with a task to monitor and ensure the implementation of this
Agreement in accordance with the principles of inter-sector cooperation
envisaged by the Agreement. The team has the task to approve the annual
work plan, as well as to evaluate realized assignments. The team is
coordinated by the representative of the Centre for Social Welfare.

Although the signatories of the Agreement are institutions, the document

mentions the non-governmental sector, which, as stated, has a significant
role in prevention, detection and data collection on abused and neglected
children and their families.

2. The Protocol on Cooperation between institutions and NGOs in the

Operating Network for protection of women and children from
domestic violence ZORA in the territory of the City of Novi Sad
(2010)
The signing parties to this protocol are:
1. The Centre for Social Welfare Novi Sad
 2. The Police Department in Novi Sad
3. The Basic Court in Novi Sad
4. The Higher Court in Novi Sad
5. The Appellate Court in Novi Sad
6. The Misdemeanour Court in Novi Sad
7. The Primary Health Centre Novi Sad
8. The Social Service of the Psychiatric Institute in Novi Sad
9. SOS Womens Centre Novi Sad
10. The Preschool Institution ''Happy Childhood'' Novi Sad
11. The Grammar School ''Jovan Jovanovi Zmaj'' Novi Sad
12. The Medical School ''7 April '' Novi Sad
13. The Primary School ''Svetozar Markovi Toza'' Novi Sad

The subject matter of the Protocol is activities of institutions and NGOs in the
functioning of the Operational Network for the Protection of Women and
Children from Violence in the Family ''ZORA'' at the territory of the City of
Novi Sad and ways of mutual cooperation and cooperation with the
Operational Network coordinating body. The protocol envisages activities of
each individual member.

3. The Coordinating body for the fight against violence in primary

and secondary schools in the territory of the City of Novi Sad,
the founder of which is the Assembly of the City of Novi Sad
(2014):

The Coordination Body was established by the Assembly of the City of Novi
Sad in January 2014. This body introduces measures to prevent violence and
abuse in primary and secondary schools in the territory of the City of Novi
Sad once a year in order to increase security and create a more secure
environment for pupils and prevent violence and abuse in primary and
secondary schools in the territory of the City of Novi Sad. The Coordination
Body applies preventive measures and activities in working with pupils,
teachers, psychological and pedagogical services. Preventive measures
include compulsory education through professional meetings, workshops and
forums. The Coordination Body aims to apply preventive measures and
activities in working with pupils, teachers, psychological and pedagogical
services.
Preventive measures include compulsory education through professional
meetings, workshops, forums intended for pupils and school staff, organising
of expert meetings and seminars for school representatives, as well as active
co-operation and communication with pupils' parents. The Coordination Body
provides expert recommendations to the people mentioned and controls
their implementation. In accordance with the Manual for the Application of
the Special Protocols for the Protection of Children and Pupils from Violence,
Abuse and Neglect in Educational Institutions, the Coordinating Body
cooperates with electronic media and the press.
The Coordination Body submits a report on its work to the Assembly of the
City of Novi Sad twice a year, i.e., on the state of security of the pupils in the
territory of the City of Novi Sad.

4. Novi Sad Network for Children NSMEDE

The initiation of this network was launched by the Centre for Production of
Knowledge and Skills (Know How Centre) from Novi Sad in order to network
professionals working in various sectors with children and families - the
social protection sector, education and health sector as well as the non-
governmental sector. In June 2015, the Protocol on Cooperation was signed,
listing network goals focused on improving support for children and families,
exchanging information between network members, organizing training,
preventive programs, professional conferences and so on, in order to
improve support and the position of children and families. The network is still
expanding including new members. The focus of this network is the
exchange of experiences of professionals engaged in work with children and
families. It emerged as the need for the networking of professionals to raise
their own capacities and level of information on activities of other institutions
and organizations at the local level providing certain services for children
and families. What is very important is that there are representatives of
educational institutions in this Network: The Faculty of Philosophy
(Department of Psychology), the High School of Vocational Education for
Teachers of Novi Sad and the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation
at the Medical Faculty of the University in Novi Sad. The goal of incorporating
these academic institutions is very important because they educate future
experts / professionals who will be engaged in the work with children and
families. Play Centre is also a part of this Network and regularly participates
in meetings and extends its maximum contribution.

Representatives of institutions and organizations coming to the meetings of

this Network are extremely motivated to apply various innovative
approaches to support children and their families. Not all the members
officially signed the Cooperation Protocol but they are definitely part of the
Network and they regularly attend meetings. Some of the members of the
Network are:
 1. Know How Centre Novi Sad (NGO)

2. The Institute for Social Protection of the Autonomous Province of

Vojvodina

3. The Centre for Foster Care and Adoption Novi Sad

4. The Preschool Institution ''Happy Childhood'' Novi Sad

5. The Institution ''Veternik'' in Veterik
6. The Centre for Social Welfare in Novi Sad

7. The School Department in Novi Sad

8. Childrens Hospital Novi Sad

9. The Centre for Support to Early Childhood Development and Family

Relations ''Harmony'' Novi Sad (NGO)

10. Play Centre Novi Sad (NGO)

11. Little Happy Colony (NGO)

12. The Inter Departmental Commission

13. The High School of Vocational Education for Teachers of Novi Sad

14. The Faculty of Philosophy Novi Sad

15. The Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation (the branch

at the Medical Faculty of the University in Novi Sad)

At the provincial level, there is the Provincial Secretariat for Social Policy,
Demography and Gender Equality, and the Deputy Provincial Secretary is at
the same time the Chairman of the Inter-Departmental Commission in Novi
Sad, who is extremely sensitive to support children from vulnerable groups
and regularly attends meetings of the Novi Sad Network for Children and
participates in the activities of the Network. Also, there is the Provincial
Institute for Social Protection with the seat in Novi Sad, which is a part of the
Novi Sad Network for Children, too.
 Cooperation of Play Centre and other relevant institutions in the
field of protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect in
Novi Sad

- Play Centre has signed an agreement on cooperation with the Faculty

of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad, and achieved excellent
cooperation with the departments of psychology and pedagogy. The
Departments of Psychology and Pedagogy have been implementing
the project "Reserved for children" since 2016. This project is designed
to actively work on the prevention of bullying through the promotion of
positive behaviours in interpersonal relationships, care and respect for
culture and education, promotion of multiculturalism, friendship,
identity development, emotional and social skills and self-esteem and
recognition of the importance of each individual and equal
opportunities for all.

- The project bearer is "Laureate" Ltd for management and representing

authors and actors from Novi Sad. Project activities include: 1) Advisory
sessions for teachers which are implemented at the Faculty; 2)
Realization of workshops for students and 3) Publishing of manuals.
Given the fact that some activities aimed at preventing violence
against children have already been started, we believe that there are
very good resources for inclusion of the professors from the Faculty of
Philosophy in other projects aimed at prevention and protection of
children from violence, abuse and neglect.

- Also, Play Centre has excellent cooperation with the Centre for
Prevention of Deviant Behaviour in Youth ''Target'', which deals with the
prevention of bullying and Internet violence in Novi Sad. We implement
an accredited training program with this organisation for employees in
education: ''Supporting a pupil in crisis'', which largely focuses on the
issue of bullying and violence on the Internet, in addition to training
teachers on using techniques of psychosocial support to pupils when
they find themselves in a situation of crisis. Target Centre is also a part
 of the Coordinating Body for the fight against violence in primary and
secondary schools.

- Play Centre in cooperation with the Centre for Support of Early

Childhood Development and Family Relations ''Harmony'' realized
another very significant program of professional development for
teachers, which deals with the reduction of discrimination and violence
''Socially unaccepted child - support and integration into a peer group'',
therefore, we already have good cooperation with educators from
several primary schools who are highly motivated to get involved in
prevention programs aimed at reducing peer violence.

- In February 2017, Elementary school ''Branko Radievi'' applied for

the project 'A kind word opens an iron gate', which aims to develop
social inclusion and reducing discrimination among children at ACES
Act local - Academy of Central European School. Play Centre will be a
partner in this project. So this school, like many others with whom we
have established cooperation, is very interested in engaging in
preventive programs related to reducing violence in schools.

- Play Centre also has excellent cooperation with the High School for
Vocational Education for Teachers of Novi Sad, which offers another
accredited program in where Play Centre participates. This program
deals with the topic of raising personal and professional skills of
employees in educational institutions for the protection of children
from violence: ''In the world of shadows - a guide through the support
of child victims of domestic violence, abuse and neglect. ''

When it comes to protecting children from violence, abuse and neglect, it

can be concluded that a lot has been done in this field in Novi Sad. The shift
in the field of protection of children is more related to the signing of the
formal Agreement and the Protocol related to mutual cooperation between
state institutions and the civil sector, but there are not enough prevention
programs that are designed for children, parents, and not enough training for
teachers who work in primary and secondary schools in the field of
prevention of violence, abuse and neglect. What is very important, in Novi
Sad, there is a need for professionals who work with children and families for
networking and developing personal and professional capacity to protect
children from violence, abuse and neglect, which is a great starting point for
the implementation of various preventive programs in this area.