Our work

For children ages 5-9:

• To help children distinguish between a ‘safe’ and a ‘not safe’ touch from an adult
• To develop communication and assertiveness skills to protect themselves and learn how to ask for help from trusted adults, to stop or prevent abusive situations

For parents and educators:

• To become aware of and learn about the phenomenon, the symptoms and cases of sexual abuse and be able to identify the factors that increase the risk
• To inform and provide counselling for better communication with children and the course of actions necessary, in the event that an incident of sexual abuse is disclosed

During the implementation of the program, special focus is placed on the training of primary and preschool teachers as well as parents. Furthermore, in the event of a disclosure and a child being identified as a victim of sexual abuse, the appropriate authorities are notified and all procedures required by Greek law are followed.

The program takes place since 2016 in public and private schools of our country. So far 2.600 children, as well as 1.000 teachers and 2.000 parents have received training.

Our aim is to disseminate “Safe Touches” at all schools so as to empower more children through digital technology. The face-to-face version of the program along with a respective training and a manual for teachers will enter the pilot phase so as to be evaluated. We hope that it will be included into the programs approved by the Institute of Educational Policy of the Ministry of Education. Upon final approval, the program will be included in the training process of all pre-school, first, second and third grade primary school children in public schools and will be available to be chosen as a self-protection tool in combination with an integrated public awareness campaign.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation is the Founding Donor of the Program, while Nea Odos SA is the Supporter.

ELIZA’s Board of Directors as well as its scientific team express their deepest gratitude to all those who believed in the program’s potential from the start and fervently supported it.

If you would like more information or wish to contact us concerning the “Safe Touches” program, you can send us your enquiries at asfalesaggigma@eliza.org.gr and our team of experts will promptly respond. Private schools can apply for the face to face version of the program (pre-school, first, second and third grade).

In collaboration with the medical school of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, the 2^nd Pediatric Department of the University of Athens, the eleven Pediatric University Departments of Greece and the medical schools of the Universities of YALE and IOWA in the United States, we have trained:

• 1.220 physicians and 215 nursing staff
• 2.110 teachers
• 1.490 police personnel of all levels
• 75 judges and prosecutors

The numbers may seem considerably big, but the needs of children in danger are multiple and complex. At ELIZA we design new interventions and educational programs, in cooperation with scholars and experts who have the necessary insight and experience in the recognition and provision of support for the proper management of child abuse cases. Our goal is to become the enabler, bringing knowledge to those who are next to vulnerable children every day, so that we can contribute effectively to their protection.

VIMA / STEP supports particularly vulnerable families faced with difficulties arising from the economic recession, such as poverty, unemployment and social isolation. These circumstances affect the social and emotional development of the child, especially during infancy and early childhood. The prompt identification of these vulnerable families and the provision of early intervention services, in order to offer crucial and effective solutions to their problems, serve to forestall possible incidents of neglect or abuse.

The families participating in the VIMA program are looking for support that will allow them to improve their parental role and confront serious family, social and economic challenges. The program applies the best international practices of early intervention, adopts alternative scientific approaches and offers specialized services to mothers, children and to the entire family based on the assessment of their needs.

VIMA is addressed to all families, regardless of origin, race or religion, with services   provided in both, Greek and English.  The program employs two full-time psychologists, while support services are provided by the Social Service of the ‘One Child, One World’ organization and by volunteers.

Detection of family and child needs

Drafting of detailed family history and development records for children under 5 years old, as well as assessment of family function, through five or more individual and family sessions.

Therapeutic intervention

Planning and implementation of parents-children sessions on a weekly basis along with a cooking session every fortnight, monitored by two psychologists with the help of volunteers.

Parenting counseling

Additional psychological support and enhancement for single-parent or mother/father families both within the premises of the program and at the family’s home, if deemed necessary, on a personal or group level.

During the first years of operation, STEP program has already supported 360 families and 720 children, while more than 1.200 parents and educators have participated in awareness activities.