Domestic violence, physical and psychological abuse, exposure to behaviour that jeopardises the well-being and development of children and young people, and truancy remain the main issues prompting intervention by the Commission for the Protection of Children and Young People (CPCJ) in Famalicão, which this April is joining forces with the Famalicão local authority to mark “Child Abuse Prevention Month”.

As is the case across the country, the initiative aims to raise awareness amongst the Famalicão community of their active role in preventing the abuse of children and young people.

Highlights of the initiative’s programme include the “Cria(nças) com Carinho” campaign and a strong focus on training and awareness-raising. Activities began this Thursday, 9 April, at the Terras de Camilo Community Care Unit in Bairro, with the “Cuidar com Carinho” training session. On 28 April at 15h00, the training session will take place at the Brufe Parish Council.

On 16 and 23 April, children will don police uniforms for a day and launch an “Operation STOP” against child abuse, as part of a street awareness campaign organised in collaboration with the police. The event on the 16th will involve the Famalicão PSP; it will begin at the Town Hall at 9h00, attended by Mayor Mário Passos, and will then move on to the streets of central Famalicão. The event on the 23rd will involve the Riba de Ave GNR and will take place at the Oliveira S. Mateus Weekly Market, starting at 10h00.

The programme also includes a series of awareness-raising activities in schools and sports settings, notably a joint initiative with Futebol Clube de Famalicão, tomorrow, 10 April, when the Famalicão club hosts Moreirense. Schools such as the Luís de Camões School Centre and the Oliveira S. Mateus School will also host specific activities, alongside an exhibition of artwork by children from the Requião Social Centre, which will be on display in the parish churchyard on 21 April.

“Child Abuse Prevention Month” concludes with the formation of a Human Chain on 30 April at the Town Hall.

It should be noted that the Commissions for the Protection of Children and Young People are official non-judicial bodies with functional autonomy, which aim to promote the rights of children and young people and to prevent or put an end to situations likely to affect their safety, health, training, education or overall development.