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Supporting a Professional
Environment
The Kids First Fund has enjoyed tremendous success with its series of
educational seminars. Clearly, the need exists to reach professionals
involved with child abuse issues such as social workers, schoolteachers
and police officers. The social work profession needs educational support
to increase overall standards of social work and to promote awareness
of methods of identifying and treating abused children and women.
Similar to social workers, schoolteachers often represent an early opportunity
to identify cases of abuse. They become aware of abuse by observing behavior
that may include physical trauma. An interest in mandatory reporting of
suspected child abuse appears to exist in Latvia. Future legislation may
someday include mandatory reporting by teachers and doctors. Beyond the
obvious benefits, it would be helpful to have the teaching profession
support this initiative. Education and awareness are effective methods
to ensure their future support.
Other professionals such as police officers are critical
to the process of protecting children and women from abuse. As with any
profession, some officers will become pioneers in the prevention of abuse.
This was made apparent by the participation of the police at every seminar
location. This group appeared eager for attention, resources and training.
Continuous attention, along with cultural changes, will help make protection
of children and women more of an expectation on behalf of the police and
the communities they serve.
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