SITUATION ANALYSIS OF CHILDREN IN NEED OF PROTECTION - TURKEY


Evaluation of Government Organizations, NGO's and Academics

When we evaluate the government institutions and NGOs and individuals who work at universities as academicians, among the institutions that work with the children who require special protection measures, the situation is as follows:

It is seen that the distribution of NGOs in the country is not sufficient and the number of the specialized associations is limited. It is really a problem that there are no NGOs related to the subject especially in some big cities. The formation and works of NGOs should be supported.  

It is observed that the structural problems of NGOs are at an important level. It is also observed that the finance problems, human resources and physical facilities are limited. This situation prevents the continuity of NGOs.

It is seen that the NGOs should be supported and trained regarding their works related to the projects. Cooperation, especially the cooperation among the institutions that work on the same subjects, should be encouraged and supported.  It is required that the cooperation of NGOs both among themselves and with the government institutions should be at a permanent and functional level.

It is observed that SHÇEK and Children Branch of Police Department have a more intense influence and structuring when compared of the other institutions in the field. It is observed that these institutions that work on the subject with a wide spectrum have problems in their physical facilities and human resources. Besides this, as an administrative problem, it is observed that the continuous displacement of the employees is effecting the productivity. When it is considered that accumulation and being familiar with the environment are important factors in the fieldwork, it can be observed that this situation is an important problem. Unavailability of sufficient personnel results in solving the problem by sliding the personnel from the other institutions to the newly established ones.

It is observed that the most important problem regarding the facilities is the computer and internet utilization. The limited utilization of these is reflected in the works negatively. It is observed that the works are directed to satisfying all the needs of the children. Solving all the problems such as accommodation, food, education within the structure of the institution requires a wide range of facilities. On the contrary, it is also observed that the results related to acquiring data on the subjects are not so productive. This limits the facility of performing strategic planning.

Another obvious result obtained from the work is that, when the civilian authorities in the cities are active in this field, this influences the works, especially the joint works, positively. This demonstrates that the civilian authorities should be informed in these subjects and they should perform works in this field.

One of the striking results of the study is the high rate of the opinion regarding the low rate of familiarity in the society concerning Convention on Children Rights. It is an important deficiency that the society is not aware of the convention, which is the most important document and umbrella structure in this subject. 

The insufficiency of the relations between the institutions is another striking results of this work. Joint platforms, where NGOs can establish relations with each other, are required for the relations of the institutions among themselves. It is an important dimension that everybody believes in the need to establish a relation but nobody is reflecting this to application. It will considerably increase the productivity in the cities to bring together the government institutions, NGOs and individuals at a joint platform at specific periods by means of joint training and projects.

It is observed that UNICEF’s 2 projects related to child abuse and establishment of Children Commissions at Bars is very beneficial in bringing together the people who are working in this field. People working in the field had the chance to come together in the cities where the project is performed and started talking about the formation of a joint platform.

Although the utilization of local media is intense at NGOs, it is limited at government institutions. It can be said that legislations are also influential in this. However, regarding the efficient utilization, the realization of informatory long-term programs should be targeted instead of only appearing in the programs. The efficient utilization of media, which is one of the most important tools of advocacy works, will increase the level of providing information and sensitivity.

The lack of interest and insensitivity of the society regarding this subject are the common opinions of the whole institutions. Especially the high rate of the idea that the children forced to commit crime and the street children are bad is very thought provoking. The number of people, who think that the partial news that infuriates the society are influential, is very much. The fact that the presence of social reaction may cause unwanted events towards children should not be forgotten when the similar events in the countries such as Brazil are considered. The works for providing information and formation of sensitivity through media and campaigns addressing society should be performed.

It is important that academicians should perform their works in cooperation. This is more concentrated at the level of NGOs. The academicians are also assigned at NGOs at the same time. 

In conclusion, the platforms where cooperation between the institutions will be provided is required as the first step. It is interesting that the expectation for coordination was the first expectation at all the sections. It is required to perform works for formation of data. It is required to support the government institutions regarding the personnel, physical conditions and financial conditions and to form sensitivity in the society in connection with this subject by providing information. It is required to dissolve the present reactional approach of the society and to form positive opinions regarding the subject by time.  

Due to the lack of systematic information in this subject, it is not a realistic approach to give an absolutely correct figure. Lacking information related to the details of the problem, prevent the development of efficient strategies and the policies that will produce solutions to the problems of these children.

 

The comprehensive and specialized services that would address the special needs and rights of these children are required. Additionally, since the cooperation and coordination between the institutions that are providing service is not satisfactory, an efficient sending system that would direct the children in need to the present complementary services among the services available in and between the cities could not be established. As a result, the children are not benefiting the available services sufficiently at the moment.   

 

Besides many current problems regarding the efficient and sustainable protection of the children requiring special protection and their readjustment to the society, strategic planning and cooperation between non-governmental organizations and government organs is not available. There are no correct, analyzed and compiled information regarding the conditions of the children requiring special protection measures and it is difficult to obtain information regarding the abuse and exploitation of the children.

There is the incorrect application of the present rules and legislations regarding the children requiring special protection measures, the lack of specialized personnel regarding the subjects related to the children and children rights, the lack of the fact of readjustment of the children to the society.

There is the lack of coordination and cooperation between the government and non-governmental organizations. A lack of coordination is observed between the public and private sectors and among these institutions themselves. At the same time, there is a need for coordination and guiding work between the available services in and between each city.

The lack of coordination, which is one of the problems that was clearly noticed in this study, is very important in order to realize cooperation.

However, although there are limited facilities and difficult conditions at this difficult subject, important progress was achieved regarding to the children requiring special measures owing to the self-sacrificing works and personal efforts. Upon achieving regular and healthy cooperation, it will be seen that better results will be obtained in future.