This became clear at the focus group organized on June 17 in Sofia by Center for Sustainable Communities Development within Children First project. It was attended by representatives of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Agency for Social Assistance, State Policy for Children, Sofia Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, Open Door Center, Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence, National Network for Children, lawyers and teachers.
"Increasingly, children are being used as a means of exerting pressure from one of the parents in cases of domestic violence," experts says.
They pointed out many problems in the system - lack of cross-sectoral services, ignorance of the problem, ignorance of the consequences for children - victims / witnesses of domestic violence, the slow change of legislation, as well as the need for targeted government policy. The need for the involvement of the media in the public debate on the topic and the correct coverage of the problem was also emphasized. Last but not least, the need for clear rules of action for each of the stakeholders in cases of children - witnesses of domestic violence was highlighted.
The work on the project continues with the organization of focus groups with experts on the territory of Ruse region, meetings with women - survivors of domestic violence and their children are forthcoming. For the next activities, follow both the project website: https://children-first.eu/, as well as Center for Sustainable Communities Development’s website (CSCD is partner in the project): https://cscd-bg.org/bg/.