Filenews 16 September 2024 - by Despina Psillou
More than 1,361 minors are currently in the custody of the state, many of whom are in shelters, programs and foster families. Specifically, 237 minors are in foster care, 32 in semi-independent living, 92 in shelters and more than 1,000 are unaccompanied minors. These data were reported to the House Education Committee during a discussion on children's homes, the problems of their operation and the possible violation of the rights of children and adolescents.
On behalf of the Parliament, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare was asked to go for an on-site inspection of the structures. Concerns were expressed about the way these structures operate, with the first concern being whether children are protected from third parties who want to exploit them, i.e. for trafficking.
The reason for the inclusion of the issue, as underlined, was the case of robbery of a 64-year-old man by minors who were under the custody of the state and eventually a case of sexual abuse is being examined. In addition, there was the chaos caused at the home for the elderly in Larnaca where 20 unaccompanied migrants were staying.
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, spoke about sensitive and vulnerable situations. For children and adolescents facing difficult circumstances on a personal and family level. "To reach homes, which is the last resort, means that they have experienced neglect, abandonment, abuse."
Most children under state care, he noted, are placed in foster care. "There is a program that prepares them for adulthood and supports them until they are 21 years old."
In addition, he mentioned the pilot operation of a day center, which completed one year of operation. As she said, it is multidisciplinary and staffed by psychologists, trainers, and other specialists. This cycle served a total of 20 children in total, while it has a potential of 9 children at a time.
