Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Domagoj Stimac, Tea Brezinscak, Vesna Bilic and Gordana Buljan Flander
Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Croatia
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Ther
Available data suggests that about one in fi ve children in Europe is a victim of some form of sexual abuse. Th e disclosure of child sexual abuse is essential for the long term outcomes, as it enables us to protect the child from further victimization and provide needed support in order to reduce the impact of trauma. Literature suggests that in most cases the abuse is never uncovered, the disclosure is oft en indirect and delayed and that a signifi cant number of children will at some point deny the disclosed events, suggesting the psychological complexity of the disclosure process and its aft ermath for the child. Th e childâ??s experiences during and aft er the disclosure, not only within the family, but also within the child protection system, can promote the childâ??s process of healing and recovery or be sources of secondary traumatization. Research shows that factors, such as inadequate methods of questioning, insensitive approach or multiple interviews by diff erent interviewers, can deepen the traumatization of the child, as well as minimize the childâ??s capacity to provide reliable and detailed testimony. Th is suggests the utmost importance of child friendly approach in protection of children who have been sexually abused. Th e aim of this work is to provide an overview of scientifi c research supporting the importance of child friendly approach within the child protection system, present its key elements, as well as to present its implementation in Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb with an emphasis on good practices and current challenges.
Domagoj Stimac is a Psychiatrist with a Subspecialty Certiï¬ cation in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry, working as Deputy Director of the Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb. He is a Court Expert for Psychiatry, dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience by teaching child and adolescent forensic psychology at the University of Osijek. He has published numerous academic and professional papers in the ï¬ eld of abuse and neglect of children and was awarded for his accomplishments. He is continuously involved in trainings focused on advances in clinical and forensic work with traumatized children and youth.