Dresden (dpa/sn) - Saxony's state parliament has approved a motion by the CDU, Greens and SPD to better protect children and young people from sexual violence and abuse. "We want to protect children and young people even better against sexual violence and abuse," said Kathleen Kuhfuss, member of the state parliament, in parliament on Thursday. A so-called master plan for child protection is intended to enable children, among other things, to talk about what they have experienced and to find help.
"We will expand prevention on an interdisciplinary basis," said the Greens politician. The aim is to bundle the skills and experience of various bodies and to promote the expansion of effective prevention offers. In particular, the support of local communities is important. "We want to network youth social work better and offer easily accessible initial counseling centers," said Kuhfuss. Funds of 550,000 euros are earmarked for this. "In order to identify dangers at an early stage, it is important that we also give our specialists and volunteers the right tools," explained Kuhfuss. Training opportunities and so-called mentoring programs are to be expanded.
Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping also welcomed the application. "The implementation and further development of child protection is an important concern for me," said the SPD politician. It is important that there are more contact points for protection against violence and for combating sexual abuse in the Free State. "There can't be enough such safe places," said Köpping.
