The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi, addressed the Broadcasting Standards Council of Macedonia, upon a call from a reporter with Netpress, Julijana Kimovska and her notification on the SOS line for children and youth in Macedonia (0800 12222), about a testimony that the child publicly stated.

According to the Rulebook for protection of under-aged audience against programs that can affect their physical, mental and moral development and the Children’s Rights Convention, the Council should undertake appropriate measures upon the public transmission of an interview with a child-victim of violence, on the show “Nesto Ubavo” broadcasted on TV Sitel.

The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi asked for the video footage from the Broadcasting Standards Council and the expert team of First Children’s Embassy Megjashi concluded that the girl victim of violence gathered the courage not to remain silent about the incident and talk publicly about it on television, because she was in need of psychological and social help and support. She still has a great feeling of guilt and enormous pain, and her need for help and support is particularly dominant.

The staff of the Megjashi Embassy is always encouraging children victims to speak up about the violence, but their testimonies should be taken in specialized facilities (rooms), known as “screening rooms” and not in front of the TV cameras. The interview should be conducted in the presence of an expert team, consisted of a psychologist, social worker, a representative of the court and the police.

This is all in favor of avoiding further traumatizing and victimizing of the child. Family violence, like any other type of violence and abuse, represents a traumatic experience for the child-victim, which usually has permanent consequences.

The First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi has until now reacted repeatedly in such cases and situations, and has been doing so still by undertaking activities for protection of the children and their rights. Megjashi expects more concrete and specific measure from The Broadcasting Standards Council, and in addition to this case, Megjashi team has notified the Ombudsman as well.

Children and youth victims of domestic violence or victims of any other form of abuse, are encouraged to place their calls on the free SOS line 0800 12222 of Megjashi Embassy, at the nearest Police station or to the Centers for Social work.

*Full press release is available for download.

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