A recent conference in Thessaloniki shed light on the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse in Greece.
Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Special Coordinator for Child Abuse Prevention, revealed that one in five children in Europe, and 16% in Greece, fall victim to some form of sexual abuse.
The conference underscored the significant challenges faced in addressing this issue. Many victims are unable to report the abuse due to the familiarity with their perpetrators, often family members or close acquaintances. This makes early detection and intervention particularly difficult.
To combat this problem, the Greek government and civil society organizations are working together to implement various strategies. These include educating children and parents about safe and harmful touches, providing support services for victims, and strengthening partnerships between government agencies and local communities.
The conference also highlighted the importance of innovative approaches, such as the use of animated stories to teach children about healthy relationships and how to recognize and report abuse.
By raising awareness and providing practical tools, these initiatives aim to empower children and create a safer environment for all.