Child protection, a daily struggle

Children are a precious asset that must be protected. It is for this purpose that the association “Innocence in Danger” (IED) was created in 2000 with an international vocation.

Present in ten countries and partner of international associations in the fight against child crime, “Innocence in Danger” fights against all forms of violence, sexual, physical and moral against children within the framework of the Global Movement for the Protection of Children. childhood, chaired by Homayra Sellier, appointed in 1999 by the Director General of Unesco, Fédérico Mayor.

Bringing together activists from all sides (internet specialists, lawyers, childhood experts, decision-makers from the political, economic and media worlds), it invites itself to participate in decisions with governments, European and international bodies, companies, schools. (including that of the gendarmerie and the judiciary), local communities, groups of young people … while offering solutions through education and information between the public and public institutions and the daily support of child victims and protective parents. It is the first and the only association to have set up resilience stays.

In psychology, we call “resilience” the ability to live, to succeed, to develop despite adversity. The concept was discovered in 1982 in Hawaii by an American psychologist Emmy Werner, who followed 700 children in Hawaii without families, without school, living on the streets and victims of physical or sexual assault. Only 28% of them managed to come out without major mental disorders, 30 years later, having learned a trade and started a family. This is what led him to say that there is in children a special ability to overcome the traumas of life in order to get out of it.

The first stays for sexual violence were developed in 2002 by the founder of the association, Homayra Sellier and received up to 100 victims per year (all expenses paid) in 4 countries, these workshops are the starting point of a real reconstruction. The first of them arose from the request of a mother whose daughter had been raped in order to help her come out of the silence into which she had sunk, the horses helped her to overcome her trauma and start therapeutic follow-up to testify against aggressors. The following workshops were based on art therapy, offering artistic, sporting or cultural activities … (equitherapy, sculpture, film editing, outing in the forest, painting, cooking lessons, trekking, climbing, rafting, swimming, theater, photography workshops, painting, calligraphy, discovery of nature, music, dance, self-defense, tai chi and yoga) with the help of professionals, art therapists, psychologists, child psychiatrists, doctors and artists. Each child was able to rebuild in safety for 1 to 2 weeks while bonding with others who have suffered the same difficulties. A protective parent is invited to participate in the stay in order to maintain secure relationships. Innocence in Danger resilience stays are carried out along 2 axes:
An individual axis, concerning the capacities specific to each child, his potential.
A relational axis, concerning the links that the child establishes with the group.

The activities of the organizations are based on awareness, information and mobilization through publications, conferences, seminars and interventions. The constitution of civil party in the trials for acts of rape, mistreatment and violence against children goes hand in hand with the support of victims in legal proceedings.

Educational programs for parents, children and teachers are developed with the goal of responsible and safe use of the internet and social networks.

As of 2017, IED is investing its resources and leveraging its network of specialists to contribute to medical research in the field of child sexual abuse by sharing information and awarding research grants.

IED is present in different countries:

• in Germany: creation of a safe environment on the web for children and young people.
  
• Austria: “DimeKo” digital literacy pilot project to support children and young people in general in their online activities and protect them from the danger of the Internet and social networks.
  
• Colombia: cognitive therapy for children who have been referred by the local justice system or come from very poor and street backgrounds.
  
• Switzerland: awareness raising on the subject and reception of children followed in court; collaboration since 2018 with one of the most renowned brain research institutes in the world, based in Lausanne, in the field of biogenetic research on the impacts of child abuse (physical and mental health).
  
• United Kingdom and United States: awareness and information conferences and seminars. Underage survivors of sexual violence sponsored for equitherapy and musicology-therapy sessions.
  
• Belgium: support and support for victims and their parents in their legal procedures since 2018.

In each of these countries, there is a national office under the control of local authorities. The association stands alongside the victims by accompanying them to court and acting in the field of child protection by raising awareness on the subject and organizing conferences and awareness campaigns while working with the police. .

If necessary, Innocence en Danger provides the families of victims with free legal assistance with a lawyer who can answer legal questions at the following address: [email protected]. For any other problem, Children in danger? – Parents in difficulty? go to the website www.allo119.gouv.fr.

To get involved with IED, it is possible to make a donation or participate in an event, the next of which will be the inauguration of the Fête à Neuneu on September 4 in Boulogne, Porte de la Muette (75016). All donations collected (Adult Pass: € 20, Child Pass: € 10 for unlimited access to all the rides) will be donated to the association which is mobilized for the protection of children and thus raises public awareness. on the scourge of child abuse increasingly important in France. Many personalities will be present around the godmother of IED, Cristina Cordula, including the sponsors of the opening night of this 37th edition of the Fête à Neuneu, Caroline Margeridon and Jean-Marie Bigard.

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VERONIQUE YANG

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