"40 pct of children subjected to violent punishment"

"40 pct of children subjected to violent punishment"

BELGRADE -- A 2014 UNICEF study has shown "a high incidence of violence against children in Serbia," the Beta news agency has reported.

Work needs to be done to prevent and emphasize that people should not look the other way but report cases of violence, a Belgrade conference entitled "Advancing the Protection of Children against Violence" heard on Monday, the agency said.

UNICEF Serbia Representative Michel Saint-Lot was quoted as saying that according to the study, "more than 40 percent of children aged up to 14 years in Serbia had experienced violent methods of punishment."

"some studies show that children are the victims in 50 percent of cases of family violence, while 70 percent of children suffer gender-based violence at school," Saint-Lot noted.

Ministry of Health State Secretary Ferenc Vicko said that last year there were 400 reported cases of suspected abuse and neglect in health care institutions.

"Prior to this, we did not have any reports, which means the system has started to function. Sometimes even medical professionals close their eyes and look the other way, not wanting to recognize, even when pronounced, in order to avoid conflicts and complications at work," underscored Vicko.

Justice Ministry State Secretary Radomir Ilic said that work needs to be done on training the police and prosecutors involved in criminal proceedings involving children, whether as victims or perpetrators.