Preventing child abuse is "everyone's responsibility," stresses Mónica Seidi - Communication

Secretaria Regional da Saúde e Segurança Social

The Regional Secretary for Health and Social Security stated this week that preventing and fighting child abuse is "everyone's responsibility," adding that the Regional Government has two new measures already in progress. 

The announcement was made in Ponta Delgada at the closing session of the Month for the Prevention of Child Abuse, organised by the Azores Commissioner's Office for Childhood.

Mónica Seidi mentioned the presentation of the "Not all ties are family" campaign, scheduled for May, as part of the 4th Regional Plan for the Fight against Domestic Violence.

As part of the same Plan, adapted to the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Guideline no. 1/2022 from the Directorate-General for Health will be presented, which concerns action in domestic violence situations involving adults and the clinical record of violence among adults. It will facilitate the identification of children exposed to domestic violence.

"The fight against child abuse has to continue every day of the year," she said.

April is the month for the prevention of abuse. Several initiatives were carried out in the Azores, starting with the child and youth protection commissions in conjunction and collaboration with local authorities, and the lighting of public spaces throughout municipalities in shades of blue.

According to the official report, 3,160 cases involving 2,949 children/young people were filed with the 19 protection commissions.