Haruv annual report 2020

MEHALEV: THE CHILD MALTREATMENT PREVENTION INITIATIVE

Shaping and Changing Political Agenda Year-long

Objective: Objective: Raising policy-makers’ awareness to the phenomenon of maltreated children, advancing legislation and government policy implementation in order to bring the phenomenon to the political forefront, and reduce child maltreatment. Activities are held throughout the entire year. In January, two conferences were held as part of the events marking 30 years of mandatory reporting, partnered by Haruv Institute and the Child Maltreatment Initiative. The first was held at the Supreme Court and Chief Justice Esther Hayut participated. The second was held at the Hebrew University, and included a journalism session on media coverage of child maltreatment cases subject to mandatory reporting, and a discussion with Dr. Yitzhak Kadman on the historic legislation of the Prevention of Abuse of Minors and the Helpless Law, making it mandatory to report any suspected abuse. In February, the Child Maltreatment Prevention Initiative conducted a survey among 655 professionals from various fields, with regard to training on detecting and identifying child maltreatment, in preparation of a professional session with Haruv Institute at the Negev Conference for Children. This survey found that most professionals had not been trained and do not know how to action cases of suspected abuse. The initiative is simultaneously working to advance mandatory training for professionals who work with children, as a prerequisite for practicing. In October we hosted the Director General of the Community Strengthening and Promotion Ministry for a visit on Haruv Children’s Campus to advance collaborations, which brought about training for professionals on caring for maltreated children, operated by the ministry at Education Ministry residential care . During the year meetings were held with MKs and senior government officials to discuss subjects requiring attention and legislation change. These included participation in Knesset committee hearings on topics related to Supervision of Childcare law enforcement, prevention of child maltreatment in sports, and passing legislation on revoking custody from a parent who murdered his spouse, or raped one of his children.

Target population: Policy-makers – MKs and Government members

Venue: Jerusalem

Budget: 15,000 ILS

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 71

Prof. Asher Ben-Aryeh at the conference marking 30 years of mandatory reporting at the Supreme Court, February 2020