On 23 November 2020 the Council of Europe project Combating violence against children in the Republic of Moldova organised an online presentation of the English version of the Kiko and the Hand Training for Trainers manual. Representatives of national authorities, non-governmental and international organisations took part in the online event.

The aim of the online event was to present the scope and structure of the Kiko and the Hand Training for Trainers manual for kindergarten and preschool teachers.

The manual provides teachers, educators and professionals who work with children aged 3–6 with the necessary knowledge, skills and ideas to run sessions for prevention of child sexual abuse.

”The manual includes practical exercises on how to address sexual violence when working with young children and interacting with parents and other relevant actors, such as kindergarten and preschool management. It provides guidance, but it is up to each teacher and educator to use the tools provided in the ways they think best”, stressed William Massolin, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau.

"The pandemic situation in the country has increased the vulnerability of children. In this context, protecting the child from sexual abuse, including with the involvement of teachers, must be a priority. I am confident that this manual will provide concrete answers on how child sexual abuse can be prevented and identified”, mentioned Natalia Griu, State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research.

The Kiko and the Hand Training for Trainers manual contributes towards achieving the Project’s immediate outcome 4 “Improved skills and know-how of professionals to respond to violence against children and promote child-friendly practices”.