Domagoj Stimac
Deputy Director of the Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb.
Title: Hidden dangers of disclosure: The importance of child friendly approach in protecting sexually abused children
Biography
Biography: Domagoj Stimac
Abstract
Available data suggests that about one in five children in Europe is a victim of some form of sexual abuse. The 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 often indirect and delayed and that a significant number of children will at some point deny the disclosed events, suggesting the psychological complexity of the disclosure process and its aftermath for the child. The child’s experiences during and after the disclosure, not only within the family, but also within the child protection system, can promote the child’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 different interviewers, can deepen the traumatization of the child, as well as minimize the child’s capacity to provide reliable and detailed testimony. This suggests the utmost importance of child friendly approach in protection of children who have been sexually abused. The aim of this work is to provide an overview of scientific 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.