Research Goals and Objectives To identify the current polices and practices of the criminal justice system and child protection system in the country to respond to child sexual abuse; and To assess the institutional capacities currently available to protect children from sexual abuse

1. FORLORN AND SCARREDA Situation Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse 1

2. FORLORN AND SCARREDA Situation Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse Prof. Violeta Caceva and Stojanka Mirceva 03 February, 2011 - Thursday Skopje 2

5. Review of Existing Legislation

6. Data collection instruments3

7. The Study Limitations An absence of access to data on the experiences of child victims of sexual abuse. No access to information from the crimes reports filed by the Ministry of Interior Lack of data according to victims in the official crime statistics 4

10. No clear definition of roles and responsibilities of the mandated institutions5 “A national recording and data collection system is essential for informed policy development and establishment of prevention and response services”

11. Key Findings: Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children 6

12. Key Findings: Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children 7 Number of Registered Victims “Many cases of child sexual abuse remain unreported and unregistered – the dark numbers.”

13. Key Findings: Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children 8 Sex and Age of Child Victims “Both boys and girls can be victims, but girls are at higher risk of being sexually abused. In this country, eight out of ten reported cases are girls.”

14. Key Findings: Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children 9 Relationship between Sex of Child Victim & Acts of Sexual Abuse

15. Key Findings: Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children 10

16. Key Findings: Characteristics of Perpetrators 11

17. Key Findings: Characteristics of Perpetrators 12 83% convicted were first-time offenders “One in five convicted perpetrators has not completed primary school”

18. Key Findings: Characteristics of Perpetrators 13 Relationship of Perpetrators to Child Victim of Sexual Abuse “Children are at greatest risk of being sexually abused by people they know. Children need to be aware of this risk and empowered to say ‘NO’.”

19. Key Findings: Characteristics of Perpetrators 14 Locations Where Perpetrators Committed the Crimes ofChild Sexual Abuse

20. Key Findings: Institutional Response 15 “Centers for Social Work are at the heart of protecting vulnerable children, yet they are seriously under resourced and understaffed.”

22. 71% CSW representative involved in joint interview

23. Half of cases children had to repeat the description of abuse twice

24. Only 9.5% cases CSW involved in providing child or social protection services to victims

25. CSW under-staffed and under resourced

26. Lack of systematic approach – Lack of necessary knowledge and skills

28. 60 % cases public not excluded when child was giving verbal evidence

29. 76% cases no assistance requested by CSW

30. 58% perpetrators were either not detained while awaiting trial and 5% released before verdict was given

33. Multidisciplinary training for all professionals

34. Mental health including counseling, therapy and support services for child victims and theirfamilies

35. Develop Rulebook on data collection

36. Enhancing existing services, including by NGOs

37. Consistent implementation of Criminal Procedure Code: video interviewing, provision of child friendly investigation rooms

38. Children are vulnerable in immediate family environment and from people known to them

39. Incorporation of child body safety messages in school curricula

40. Public awareness campaigns

41. Prevention of early marriages in certain ethnic communities

42. Tailor-made and culturally responsive programmes in Roma communities

43. State Statistical Office modify system of official criminal statistics

44. Establishment of National level standardized recording and data collection system

45. Further research on dark number of child sexual abuse

46. Amend legal provisions to address inconsistencies between children under and over the age of 14 years

47. Develop by laws or official guidance (instructions, guidelines, rule book and manuals) to regulate dealing with victims of CSA