Nobody’s Children Foundation - a leading Polish NGO dealing with the problem of child abuse since 1991 concentrates its activities on developing   an efficient assistance system for abused children, that would integrate activities of state institutions, local authorities and non-governmental organizations working for the benefit of children. The Foundation’s activity include running two centers aimed at providing a direct assistance for abused children and also training, publishing, research and Internet programs.

The main recipients of the Foundation’s activities 

¨      child victims of crime and abuse (also those who participate in legal procedures (interviewing, court trials).

¨      non-offending members of their families

¨      professionals such as:

1.       prosecutors, judges, police officers and court guardians dealing with children in the process of legal intervention

2.         psychologists conducting assessments and treatment  of child abuse

Assistance offered by the Foundation directly to child victims of crime and abuse and their families

·     Diagnosis; individual and group therapy of child victims of crime (sexual abuse, physical abuse)

·       Support group for non-offending parents enabling the exchange of experiences and providing psychological and legal counselling.

·        Organizing   police and prosecutor interviewing of child victims of crime in the Centres run by the Foundation. Children are interviewed in a child-friendly room environment by experienced psychologists with the possibility of using a double-way mirror ( enables watching an interview by prosecutor or policeman) and video registration (limits the necessity of again child interviewing)

Educational activities run by the Foundation

¨      Organizing post-gradual studies program on methods of work with child victims of crime aimed at psychologists from throughout Poland. s, doctors, lawyers, academics.  

¨      Consultation program for professionals who are involved  in cases where offences are committed against children (teachers, medical and social service  representatives) and members of families      

¨      “Child-friendly court” program realised in co-operation with Ministry of Justice.   The program objective is to limit traumatic child experiences connected with proceedings through:

1.       establishing separated waiting-rooms for children in courts

2.       preparing the child for giving testimony ( familiarising him/her with the  court procedures, providing therapeutic support)

·        Training   for volunteers participating in the programme “Child-friendly court ”

International cooperation

Our ten years’  experience in the field of working with the problem of child abuse confirmed that cooperation within the region is relevant and helpful in seeking good solutions therefore international cooperation has become one of the  Nobody’s Children Foundation priorities. The following are international Foundation’s undertakings in this field:

1. 1997-2001 co-ordinating and mentoring  “Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program for Central and Eastern European Professionals” conducted  in 11 countries of the region and launched by the Open Society Institute. Within the program the following conferences were arranged by the Foundation:

July 1997 – Conference for Eastern European mental health professionals entitled “Treatment of Child Abuse”

November 1999 -   conference for Eastern European gynecologists entitled "Child Sexual Abuse - Diagnosis and Treatment"

November 2000 - conference for Eastern European social workers entitled " Child Abuse   - Social Work with Families"

2. 2001 – setting up a Internet website   entitled "Child Abuse and Neglect in Eastern Europe" sponsored by the Soros Foundation. The site contains: (1) information on the phenomenon of child abuse in the region, (2) articles and survey results, (3) professional exchanges of experiences. The internet service undoubtedly  established an important frame for cooperation within the region and seems to be a approachable tool for professionals to establish contacts. 

3. 2003 – organizing the IX European ISPCAN Conference on Child Abused and Neglect which gathered 700 professionals working in the field of child abuse from all over the world. The conference was proceeded by two days training program addressed for Eastern European professionals dealing with child abuse and was sponsored by the Batory Foundation and UNICEF.

Foundation’s credentials

Foundation   was awarded for its activity by the following prizes:

• In 1999 - prize  for the best Polish NGO in a competition organised by the Batory Foundation and Banker Trust
• prize " Gold Telephone" in a competition organized by the National Forum against Domestic Violence   "Blue   Line"
• in 2000 -   honor prize of  the Warsaw City Hall
• in 2001 - prize "Pro Publico Bono" in a competition organized by the Polish Human Rights Ombudsman
• in 2004 - first ISPCAN Multidisciplinary Team Award