Nicosia: Protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation is a top priority for the Cypriot state and one of the fundamental obligations of a law-abiding society, Clea Hadjistephanou Papaellina, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare said on Thursday, speaking in Nicosia at a conference organised by the National Strategy Implementation Council, "Foni" entitled "Innovative Practices in the Prevention, Management, and Combating of Child Sexual Abuse".
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare remains committed to building a child protection system that responds promptly and effectively to the needs of every child, always guided by the best interests of the child. The Deputy Minister congratulated the "Foni" Council for organising the conference, as well as for its long-standing and substantial contribution to the promotion and protection of children from sexual abuse in Cyprus.
"As the competent body for implementing the National Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children, the 'Foni' Council plays a decisive role in promoting synergies and developing comprehensive policies for the protection of children from sexual abuse," she added. She reiterated that protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation is a paramount priority for the Cypriot state and a fundamental duty of a well-governed society.
"Child sexual abuse is not only a violation of children's fundamental rights, development, mental health, and well-being, but also a wound that affects society as a whole, because it is a broader issue of human rights, social justice, and collective responsibility," Papaellina pointed out.
She noted that the Republic of Cyprus has undertaken clear commitments through national and international frameworks for the prevention, identification, and handling of such incidents. "As the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, we work systematically to strengthen child protection mechanisms, continuously upgrade services, and improve cooperation among all competent bodies. Our obligation is not limited to intervention after an incident is revealed. We must invest in prevention, identify risks early, and ensure that every child receives the protection they need, when they need it," she added.
Equally important, she continued, is the operation of the "Children's House" under the supervision and funding of Social Welfare Services. "By bringing together specialised services in a safe and child-friendly environment, we ensure the holistic management of minor sexual abuse cases, reduce secondary victimization, and enhance the quality of interventions for the benefit of the child. The success of this approach is based on the close cooperation of different services and professionals," she said.
At the same time, the Deputy Minister noted that the Social Welfare Services, the Cyprus Police, Mental Health Services, Educational Psychology Services, health professionals, and officers of the Non-Governmental Organization "Hope For Children" play a decisive role in protecting children. "Effectively addressing sexual abuse cannot be the work of a single service. It requires coordination, trust, a common vision, and continuous cooperation."
She also noted that it requires constant vigilance, continuous training for professionals, reinforcement of coordination mechanisms, and the ongoing review of policies and practices. "As the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, we remain committed to building a child protection system that responds promptly and effectively to the needs of every child, always guided by the best interests of the child. We also remain firmly committed to the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and to our international obligations to ensure the rights of every child without discrimination," Papaellina concluded.