A network for reducing vulnerability of children for sexual exploitation and abusive practices
Brief description of the project
The project is implemented by the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) and is funded by the OAK foundation http://www.oakfnd.org/ . The project is having national coverage and will continue from October 2013 till June 2017. The project is focused on prevention of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse practices of children from vulnerable groups – children in institutional care and children from marginalized communities. The age range of the targeted adolescents is from 12 to 18. Apart from this BFPA and OAK are working together with the shared vision to establish Learning Action Partnership (LAP) of stakeholders from different institutions experienced and interested in topics related to prevention of child sexual exploitation.
The project works in three main specific directions:
1) To reduce incidents of sexual exploitation towards adolescents in institutional care in Bulgaria till the end of 2017 - This objective will reduce vulnerability of the adolescents in regard to sexual exploitation through improved knowledge, self-esteem and negotiation skills. Specific target group are adolescents in institutional care in Bulgaria as well as the pedagogical staff there. The objective will be supported by the other projects for vulnerable groups e other initiative implemented by the applicant in the same area.
The main activities include:
• Elaboration of manual for classes on health and social integration programs
• Conducting surveys on problems of children in institutions
• Follow up the alumni’s life-stories (research on successful pedagogical methods related to prevention of sexual exploitation)
• Number of workshops for teachers/pedagogical staff and young people
2) To decrease with 20% the teenage pregnancies in 3 selected Roma neighbourhoods till the end of 2017 - In order to achieve the set objective BFPA will strengthen the network of stakeholders at local level active in the prevention of teenage pregnancies. The project sites will be identified as a result of objective 1.
The main activities are:
• Establishment of local stakeholder’s network
• Work with parents and adolescents in the selected areas
• Work with school and educational authorities
3) To improve the learning environment and coordination in regard to sexual exploitation of children - Under this objective the inter-disciplinary and inter-institutional body - LAP (Learning Action Partnership) will create space for exchange of ideas and will strengthen advocacy efforts related to prevention of sexual exploitation of children. The partnership will get together various stakeholders and will support and widen the achievement of objectives 1 and 2 and will cover national issues in the field.
