On May 15, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The "No to Violence Against Children!" project has been launched in the Vitebsk region, the chairperson of the Vitebsk regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society, Galina Zhelanova, told a BELTA correspondent. The main goal of the project is to foster a negative attitude towards child abuse among adults. To this end, a broad information campaign is already underway in the region: a social advertising video will be broadcast on local television, and printed materials on relevant topics will be distributed. Interactive lectures are also planned for educators and participants of professional development courses, focusing on the issues of preventing child abuse and neglect. Information sessions will be held in several districts of the region for specialists from various departments concerned with child protection, and for parents. Galina Zhelanova emphasized that the issue of preventing child abuse is a global concern today. "Research conducted in Belarus shows that our children are, for the most part, not subjected to violence. However, according to specialists, low statistical indicators do not indicate the absence of the problem, but rather its latent nature. Official figures only reflect extreme cases where law enforcement agencies intervene. At the same time, neglect and verbal aggression, the lack of support and help from adults, are often not considered forms of child abuse," she stressed, urging residents of the region to seek help from the social and pedagogical center if they detect child abuse, and in cases of sexual and physical violence, to contact the police, guardianship authorities, and the commission for juvenile affairs. The police hotline number is 8-0212-21-08-63. The project is being implemented by the regional organization of the Belarusian Red Cross Society with the financial support of the UNICEF Representative Office in the Republic of Belarus. -0-

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