In spite of Greece’s clear commitment to International Convention on Child Rights of the UN, the fundamental principles of protection of minor victims of abuse often remain inappropriate in practice. This is highly highlighted by Olga Themeli, a professor of forensic psychology at the University of Crete, on the occasion of her interview with Deutsche Welle.

Two cases that shocked Greek society

Her story 12 -year -old in Colognewhich has been repeatedly moved and raped, but also the complaints of children of the NGO “Ark of the World” for sexual abuse are characteristic cases that have shook the Panhellenic in recent years. In these, as in numerous cases of minor victims, children are called upon to repeat traumatic experiences in a series of unknown and often inappropriate stages of the investigative process.

Often victims are forced to deposit again and again – Hours in cold, impersonal spaces, in front of professionals who lack special education. As a result, children have a reconstruction, while at the same time questioning their credibility as witnesses as a “second class of human beings”, as Joint Judicial Practice reflects.

Mrs. Fundamental opposes this approach, documenting how the “Children’s testimony are valuable evidence. Many times unique”. He stresses that minors must testify Only once, in a special friendly space and with video recording. As he points out: “The child’s speech is recorded as such, the body language and facial expression is preserved. But above all we ensure testimony from a childhood perspective”.

The silence of victims and “invisible” children

OR Juvenile abuse is a heavy crime hiding in silence. In Greece, official statistics are absent, while international studies say that only 2 to 8 in 100 children dare to reveal what happened to them – often after years or decades.

Minor victims are called upon to confront guilt, fear of retaliation and the possibility of exposing family members or people in their environment. In many cases, the most vulnerable children – those living in poverty, children of Roma, unaccompanied refugees, people with disabilities or who are hosted in institutions – are “invisible” and never speak.

It is worth mentioning that, as Ms notes. Fundel, in Greece “Abused children often end up in hospitals, along with adults, and without a clear period of protection”. A little girl, after finding out the complete absence of a suitable space, allegedly preferred to return to her home rather than staying to the hospital, asking to return to her abusers.

State Infrastructure and Substantial Protection: an unfulfilled request

In spite of the institutionalization of “Children’s Homes“Since 2017, the structure only operates in Athens and Thessaloniki, leaving huge gap in the rest of the country. Lack specialized and friendly structures Protection on the part of the state has resulted in abused children remaining unprotected and re -exiled.

Mrs. Themeli highlights the need for Standing and specialized training All professionals involved in the investigative process – from the police and the judge to psychologists and social workers. As he notes: “The questions asked to children must be formulated with respect and scientific sensitivity”.

The social responsibility and profile of the abusers

Finally, the expert clarifies that most abusers “Not just sick people”. They are often pushed by the exercise of power through unbiased relationships, with the aim of fully submitting and depreciating the most vulnerable victim.

The hypothesis of essential protection of children in Greece remains open wound as it lacks a stable, trained and human framework for protection and rehabilitation. The need for
substantial application of international conventions is more timely than ever.