child abused — child abused — In Cyprus, one child a day is reported as sexually abused, highlighting a pressing issue with 483 cases documented in 2024 alone, according to the child commissioner’s office.
Child abused: Alarming Statistics Reflect Reality
The staggering figure translates to one new case every 20 hours, revealing the urgent need for action. These numbers only represent children who have found the courage to speak up, indicating that the true extent of the problem may be even greater.
#20ForYou Campaign Launches for Awareness
To coincide with the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the child commissioner’s office announced the launch of the #20ForYou campaign. This initiative aims to cultivate awareness and mobilise the public to break the silence surrounding the sexual abuse of children.
Empowering Children’s Voices
Central to the campaign is the commitment to give children a louder voice. The initiative seeks to promote a society that acknowledges, addresses, and speaks out about abuse. By encouraging dialogue, the campaign hopes to foster an environment where children feel safe to share their experiences.
Five Key Demands for Change
The #20ForYou campaign calls on individuals and organisations to support five specific demands:
- Specialised psychological and social support for victims.
- Enhanced education on the subject in schools.
- Placement of psychologists in all schools.
- Recognition of early warning signs of abuse.
- Immediate removal of online child abuse material.
A Call for Public Participation
As part of the campaign, all adults are encouraged to dedicate 20 minutes from 10am to 10.20am, translating into one minute for every hour that passes until another child is abused. During this time, participants are invited to photograph their teams with the #20ForYou hashtag and share it on social media, amplifying the message.
Interactive Engagement with Children
Actions planned across Cyprus include children writing messages about what would make them feel safer on post-its. These notes will be displayed on a board titled ‘The wall has a voice’. Schools are expected to post images of their ‘walls’ on social media, further driving home the campaign’s message.
Promoting Safety and Support
The underlying message of the campaign is clear: “No child should grow up in fear, no child should remain unaided, no child should stay silent.” By focusing on support and education, the #20ForYou campaign aims to create a safer environment for all children in Cyprus.
Collaborative Efforts for Long-Term Change
In addition to raising awareness, the campaign seeks to engage various stakeholders, including schools, community organisations, and policymakers, to create lasting change. By working together, the hope is to establish a robust support system for victims and a preventative framework to protect children from future abuse.
Moving Forward Together
The #20ForYou campaign is not just about raising awareness; it is a call to action for everyone in the community to take part in safeguarding children. Each effort, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement aimed at ending the silence around child sexual abuse.