Africa-Press – Cape verde. The ICCA delegation in Santiago Norte registered three direct reports of child sexual abuse and exploitation in the first quarter of this year, revealed Delegate José Varela today, highlighting the importance of reporting and continuous prevention.
According to the officer, two cases were registered in the Santa Catarina municipality and one in Tarrafal, numbers that do not reflect the totality of situations monitored. This is because the institution also works on approximately 25 cases referred by the Justice system, mainly in the preparation of reports and follow-up.
José Varela explained that the increased visibility is largely a result of a more attentive and informed population, a consequence of awareness campaigns carried out by the Cape Verdean Institute for Children and Adolescents (ICCA) and its partners.
On the ground, he explained that the action involves not only direct intervention but also preventive work with families. In cases of deviant behavior, for example, the institution seeks to act before adolescents come into conflict with the law, promoting changes within the family.
One of the strategies is the creation of networks of children and youth groups, where children and adolescents can share concerns among their peers, facilitating the early identification of risk situations.
José Varela took the opportunity to appeal for increased parental responsibility, especially in light of the current migratory flow, urging parents to pay extra attention to the care of their children in their absence.
“The ICCA is here to serve minors and should be seen as a partner and friend,” he said, advocating for a network-based approach to achieve the goal of reducing cases to zero through prevention, awareness, and joint action by society.
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