19.12.2011 – The need to support the effort of the Council of Europe to effectively protect children around Europe was emphasized at the third public presentation of the ONE in FIVE campaign in Greece, which took place on Monday 12 December in Herakleion, Crete. The event was materialized in a heavy atmosphere, as the recent arrest of a teacher who has been accused of abusing 39 children in the region made the implementation of this project more timely than ever. Co-organized by the Greek delegation to the PACE and the Institute for the Protection of the Child, the event was entitled “Protection of children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation” and was held at a central hotel of the city.

The event included short presentations by MPs, representatives of the regional administration and NGOs, including:

• Mr. Michalis Katrinis, MP, Member of the Greek delegation to the PACE and Contact Parliamentarian of Greece for the ONE in FIVE Campaign
• Mr. Ioannis Michelogiannakis, MP
• Mrs. Despina Syggelaki, Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Welfare and Solidarity of the Municipality of Herakleion
• Mr. Georgios Moschos, Deputy Ombudsman for Children’s Rights
• Mr. Vassilis Kafetzakis, Chairman of the NGO “Oasis of the Child”
• Mr. Georgios Nikolaidis, Psychiatrist, Head of the Directorate for Mental Health and Social Welfare of the Child’s Health Institute

The event was attended by members of the Regional and Local Administration, Academics, Representatives of regional organizations, representatives of student’s movements and many citizens.

Launched in Greece in 2010, the ONE in FIVE campaign aims to eliminate the problem of child abuse by raising public awareness, enhancing the relevant legal framework, coordinating all organizations involved and shaping a cohesive national strategy on the issue.

As Mr. Katrinis aptly noted: “The Council of Europe aims to deal with this sensitive social issue in its entirety. Greece is one of the first countries to support this effort, starting back in 2010. The joint support of the State, the independent authorities, the Church, the civil society, the scientific community and professional networks is of essence, if we wish to win this difficult battle. We will continue our effort with the same fervor, in order to turn 1 in 5 into 0 in 5. We will continue, because a child’s world shall remain unscathed -a world that no one can violate in order to abuse and stigmatize it.”