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“Every child has the right to a non-violent upbringing. Physical punishment, the infliction of mental suffering, sexual abuse and other forms of abuse are prohibited,” says article five of the “Federal Constitutional Law on the Rights of Children.”
From September 1st, child protection will also be officially anchored in the Upper Austrian Child Education and Care Act, State Education Minister Christine Haberlander (VP) announced at a press conference on Monday. At the same time, guidelines are being drawn up in the education department together with the state’s child and youth welfare department – which is part of the department of child protection state councilor Michael Lindner (SP). These are intended to support the kindergartens and crèches in developing their own concepts for the protection of children. These measures are intended to raise awareness of looking instead of looking away, said Haberlander.
relationship on an equal footing
The Familienbund, which looks after 3000 children in its facilities, was named as a role model. A child protection concept was developed there last year: prevention, a relationship at eye level with the children and rules of conduct for emergencies were laid down there.
Such a concept is a “necessary quality criterion for every organization that works with children and young people,” said the chairman of the supervisory board of the family association, Linz’s deputy mayor Martin Hajart (VP).
“Adults are always responsible for protecting children,” said Marlene Fehringer from the Pia association, which offers seminars on the subject in cooperation with the education department. In the further training, kindergarten teachers and helpers are to be trained to recognize signs of violence and to act correctly.
Landesrat Lindner went one step further in a broadcast: Children’s rights should be a fixed component of curricula and the training of teachers and educators.
Source: Nachrichten
