Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Europe

387 Pages·2012·7.85 MB·English

by  Nicki Keating

C
h
i
l
d

A
b
a
n
d
o
n
m
e
n

t
a Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Europe
n
d

i THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, UK
t
s

P
r in collaboration with
e
v
e For Our Children Foundation (Bulgaria), Life Together Association (Czech Republic), University
n
of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Lyon (France), Family Child Youth Association
t
i
o (Hungary), Paramos Vaikams Centras (Lithuania), Nobody’s Children Foundation (Poland),
n
Children’s High Level Group (Romania), and SOCIA (Slovakia)
i
n

E
u with financial support from
r
o
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S DAPHNE PROGRAMME
p
e
(Directorate-General Justice)
Published by The University of Nottingham
ISBN 978-0-85358-286-1
(Institute of Work, Health & Organisations)
Nottingham, UK
With financial support from the
EU’s Daphne programme
ISBN: 978-0-85358-286-1
9 780853 582861
Published January 2012
Child Abandonment and its

Prevention in Europe

EURTOHPEE AUNN ICVOEMRMSIITSSYIO ONF D NAOPTHTNIEN PGRHOAGMRA, MUKM E
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL JUS TICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

in collaboration with
in collaboration with

F or Our Children Foundation (Bulgaria), Life Together Association (Czech Republic), University
THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, UK

of Copenhagen (Denmark), University of Lyon (France), Family Child Youth Association

(Hungary), Paramos Vaikams Centras (Lithuania), Nobody’s Children Foundation (Poland),

Children’s High Level Group (Romania), and SOCIA (Slovakia)

with financial support from

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S DAPHNE PROGRAMME

(Directorate-General Justice)

Published by The University of Nottingham

(Institute of Work, Health & Organisations), Nottingham, UK

ISBN: 978-0-85358-286-1
Published Ja nuary 2012
Contents

Authors .............................................................................................................................. xi
Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... xii

Part 1: An Overview of Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Europe

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Defining child abandonment ...................................................................................... 1
1.2 Child abandonment in Europe ................................................................................... 2
1.3 The extent of child abandonment ............................................................................... 4
1.4 Social and/or personal reasons for child abandonment ............................................ 10
1.5 The consequences of being abandoned .................................................................... 13
1.6 Programmes or strategies that help prevent child abandonment ............................. 15
2. Methodology ................................................................................................................ 16
2.1 Survey: The extent of child abandonment in the European community .................. 16
2.2 Study 1: The extent, causes and consequences of child abandonment .................... 16
2.3 Study 2: Identifying good practices and services that prevent child abandonment . 17
3. Baby Hatches ............................................................................................................... 18
3.1 History...................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Modern-day ‘foundling wheels’: The ‘baby hatch’. ................................................ 18
3.3 Anonymous birthing laws ........................................................................................ 20
3.4 ‘Safe haven’ laws / safely surrendered baby laws ................................................... 20
3.5 Important differences between the three mechanisms of anonymous child
abandonment .................................................................................................................. 22
3.6 Debate surrounding the effectiveness and ethical implications of lawful anonymous
abandonment .................................................................................................................. 25
3.7 Discussion and conclusions ..................................................................................... 31
3.8 Points for future discussion and research................................................................. 33
4. Legislation Relating to Child Abandonment ............................................................ 34
4.1 Definition of child abandonment ............................................................................. 34
4.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................... 34
4.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents ................................ 35
4.4 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment .............................................. 36
4.5 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations ...... 40
i
4.6 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment .................................................................................................................. 45
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Europe .............................................................. 47
5.1 Risk factors for child abandonment in Europe ........................................................ 47
5.2 Efforts to prevent child abandonment in Europe ..................................................... 47
5.3 Cultural differences in the need for and ways in which child abandonment
prevention services are provided across countries ......................................................... 52
5.4 Overview of the prevention services identified across the 10 EU countries ........... 53
5.5 Themes of good practice identified across all 10 countries ..................................... 56
5.6 Improving efforts to prevent child abandonment..................................................... 63
5.7 Discussion and conclusions ..................................................................................... 66

Part 2: Country-Specific Reviews of Child Abandonment and its
Prevention

Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Bulgaria .................................. 71
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Bulgaria ....................................................... 71
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ............................................................. 71
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ............................................................................. 71
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................... 72
2.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents ................................ 73
2.4 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment .............................................. 73
2.5. Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations ..... 73
2.6 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment .................................................................................................................. 76
2.7 Conclusions on whether the legislation is effective ................................................. 77
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Bulgaria ...................... 78
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ..................................................... 78
3.2 Social consequences for abandoned children .......................................................... 79
3.3 Poor practice in Bulgaria ......................................................................................... 80
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in Bulgaria ..................................................... 82
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Bulgaria ............................................................ 90
5.1 Working towards good practice in Bulgaria ............................................................ 90
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Bulgaria.................................. 92
5.3 For Our Children Foundation, Community Support Centre ‘St. Sofia’ ................... 93
ii
5.4 FICE Bulgaria .......................................................................................................... 95
5.5 Give a Smile Foundation, ‘Prevention of Child Abandonment’ programme .......... 96
5.6 Karin Dom Foundation, ‘Early Intervention to Prevent the Abandonment of
Children with Special Needs’ programme ..................................................................... 97
5.7 ECIP Foundation, Complex for Social Services for Children and Families, Sofia . 98
5.8 Samaritans Association, ‘Prevention of Abandonment’ programme .................... 100
5.9 Sauchastie Association, ‘Prevention of the Abandonment of Children from the
Roma Community’ programme ................................................................................... 102
5.10 For Our Children Foundation – Plovdiv, ‘National Centre for Preventing the
Abandonment of Children aged 0 to 3 years’ programme .......................................... 103
5.11 UNICEF & SAPI, ‘Family for every child’ programme ..................................... 105
5.12 International Social Services in Bulgaria & Club of Non-Profit Organisations,
Targovishte, ‘Support from the Community for Raising Children in a Family
Environment’ programme ............................................................................................ 106
5.13 Amalipe Centre, ‘Encouraging Fieldwork with Traditional and Marginalised
Groups of the Roma Community’ programme ............................................................ 108
5.14 SOS Children’s Villages Bulgaria, ‘Support for the Family: Preventing
Abandonment’ programme .......................................................................................... 109
5.15 SOS Children’s Villages Bulgaria, Sirak Foundation & ‘For the Young and the
Adult Foundation’, ‘A Chance to Stay in my Family’ programme ............................. 110
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in the Czech Republic .............. 113
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in the Czech Republic ................................... 113
1.1 Typology of child abandonment in the Czech Republic ........................................ 114
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 115
2.1 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents .............................. 115
2.2 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 115
2.3 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations .... 116
2.4 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment ................................................................................................................ 116
2.5 Conclusions on whether the legislation is effective ............................................... 117
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in the Czech Republic .. 117
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ................................................... 117
3.2 Poor practice in the Czech Republic ...................................................................... 118
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in the Czech Republic ................................ 118
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in the Czech Republic ........................................ 126
5.1 Working towards good practice in the Czech Republic ......................................... 126
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in the Czech Republic .............. 128
5.3 Fond ohrožených dětí, Klokánek, Praha 4 ............................................................. 129
iii
5.4 Kolpingův dům, home of asylum for mothers with children, Praha 8 ................... 131
5.5 Na Počátku NGO, Brno ......................................................................................... 132
5.6 Dětské centrum při Fakultní Thomayerově nemocnici, Praha............................... 133
5.7 Vzájemné soužití NGO, Tým Hnízdo – Čiriklano Kher, Ostrava ......................... 135
5.8 Slezská Diakonie, Raná péče Dorea, Brno ............................................................ 137
5.9 Šafrán NGO, Praha ................................................................................................ 138
5.10 Sananim NGO, Praha ........................................................................................... 139
5.11 Diagnostický ústav a Středisko výchovné péče, Praha ........................................ 141
5.12 Střep NGO, České centrum pro sanaci rodiny, Praha .......................................... 142
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Denmark ............................... 145
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Denmark .................................................... 145
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 145
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ........................................................................... 145
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 145
2.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents .............................. 146
2.4 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 146
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Denmark ................... 149
3.1 Why is child abandonment rare in Denmark?........................................................ 149
3.2 Social consequences for abandoned children ........................................................ 150
3.3 Poor practices in Denmark ..................................................................................... 150
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in Denmark ................................................. 151
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Denmark ......................................................... 157
5.1 Working towards good practice in Denmark ......................................................... 157
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Denmark .............................. 157
5.3 Open prison ............................................................................................................ 158
5.4 Family institution ................................................................................................... 159
5.5 Family institution ................................................................................................... 160
5.6 Child care institution .............................................................................................. 161
5.7 Prevention Service 5 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 162
5.8 Prevention Service 6 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 163
5.9 Prevention Service 7 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 164
5.10 Child care institution ............................................................................................ 164
5.11 Prevention Service 9 (Anonymous) ..................................................................... 165
5.12 Prevention Service 10 (Anonymous) ................................................................... 166
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in France ................................... 169
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in France ........................................................ 169
iv
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 169
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ........................................................................... 169
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 169
2.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents .............................. 170
3. Causes of Child Abandonment in France ............................................................... 171
4. Data Collected from Maternity Units in France..................................................... 171
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in France ............................................................. 175
5.1 Working towards good practice in France ............................................................. 175
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in France .................................. 177
5.3 Prevention Service 1 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 177
5.4 Centre de Plannification et d’Education Familiale (CPEF) ................................... 178
5.5 Prevention Service 3 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 178
5.6 Infantile and Maternal Protection Centre (PMI) .................................................... 179
5.7 Prevention Service 5 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 180
5.8 Prevention Service 6 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 181
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Hungary ................................ 183
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Hungary ..................................................... 183
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 184
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ........................................................................... 184
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 185
2.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents .............................. 186
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Hungary .................... 186
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ................................................... 186
3.2 Poor practice in Hungary ....................................................................................... 187
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in Hungary .................................................. 189
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Hungary .......................................................... 200
5.1 Working towards good practice in Hungary .......................................................... 200
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Hungary ............................... 200
5.3 Open adoption service ............................................................................................ 201
5.4 Prevention Service 2 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 203
5.5 Prevention Service 3 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 204
5.6 Hospital social worker ........................................................................................... 205
5.7 Home for teenage mothers who are under state care ............................................. 207
5.8 Prevention Service 6 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 208
5.9 Prevention Service 7 (Anonymous) ....................................................................... 209
5.10 Prevention Service 8 (Anonymous) ..................................................................... 210
v
5.11 Mothers and newborns in prison .......................................................................... 211
5.12 Rooming-in service in hospitals........................................................................... 212
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Lithuania .............................. 215
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Lithuania ................................................... 215
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 217
2.1 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 217
2.2 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 218
2.3 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations .... 219
2.4 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment ................................................................................................................ 221
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Lithuania .................. 221
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ................................................... 221
3.2 Social consequences for abandoned children ........................................................ 221
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in Lithuania ................................................. 222
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Lithuania ........................................................ 230
5.1 Working towards good practice in Lithuania ......................................................... 230
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Lithuania .............................. 230
5.3 Vilniaus Arkivyskupijos Carito Motinos ir vaiko globos namai ........................... 231
5.4 SOS Vaikų kaimų draugija Lietuvoje: Vilniaus šeimų stiprinimo programa ........ 232
5.5 Kauno arkivyskupijos šeimos centras .................................................................... 233
5.6 Utenos specialiojo ugdymo ir užimtumo centras ................................................... 234
5.7 Vaiko Gerovės Centras ‘Pastogė’ .......................................................................... 235
5.8 Vilniaus raj. Šeimos ir Vaiko Krizių centras ......................................................... 236
5.9 Vilniaus Motinos ir Vaiko Pensionas .................................................................... 238
5.10 Kauno kartų namai ............................................................................................... 239
5.11 Paramos vaikams centras ..................................................................................... 240
5.12 Gelbėkit vaikus Lietuva ....................................................................................... 242
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Poland ................................... 243
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Poland ........................................................ 243
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 244
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ........................................................................... 244
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 244
2.3 Legal consequences for abandoned children and their parents .............................. 244
2.4 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 245
2.5 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations .... 250
vi
2.6 Conclusions on whether the legislation is effective ............................................... 253
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Poland ....................... 253
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ................................................... 253
3.2 Social consequences for abandoned children ........................................................ 254
3.3 Poor practice in Poland .......................................................................................... 254
4. Data Collected from Maternity Units in Poland..................................................... 255
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Poland ............................................................. 263
5.1 Working towards good practice in Poland ............................................................. 263
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Poland .................................. 263
5.3 Centre for adoption ................................................................................................ 264
5.4 Shelter for victims of domestic violence ............................................................... 265
5.5 Intervention centre ................................................................................................. 266
5.6 Group for teenage mothers (Institution for small children in Warsaw) ................. 267
5.7 Centre for day care support (Institution for small children in Warsaw) ................ 268
5.8 Psychological and pedagogical clinic .................................................................... 269
5.9 Home for single mothers ........................................................................................ 270
5.10 Nobody’s Children Foundation, Warsaw, ‘Good Parent – Good Start’ programme
...................................................................................................................................... 271
5.11 Helpline for women ............................................................................................. 272
5.12 Pre-adoption ward ................................................................................................ 273
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Romania ............................... 275
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Romania ..................................................... 275
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 276
2.1 Definition of child abandonment ........................................................................... 276
2.2 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 276
2.3 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 277
2.4 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations .... 278
2.5 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment ................................................................................................................ 279
2.6 Conclusions on whether the legislation is effective ............................................... 279
3. An Overview of issues relating to Child Abandonment in Romania .................... 280
3.1 Social or personal causes of child abandonment ................................................... 280
3.2 Social consequences for abandoned children ........................................................ 281
3.3 Poor practice in Romania ....................................................................................... 281
4. Data collected from Maternity Units in Romania .................................................. 281
5. Preventing Child Abandonment in Romania ......................................................... 290
vii
5.1 Working towards good practice in Romania ......................................................... 290
5.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Romania ............................... 291
5.3 Hope and Homes for Children Foundation, Baia Mare ......................................... 292
5.4 Social Services Bethany Foundation, Iaşi Town ................................................... 293
5.5 Vasiliada Association............................................................................................. 294
5.6 Agapedia Romania Foundation, Brasov ................................................................ 295
5.7 Social Alternatives Foundation, Iaşi ...................................................................... 296
5.8 “Kiwi House of Joy” Foundation ........................................................................... 297
5.9 Salvaţi Copiii Iași en (Save the Children) ............................................................. 298
5.10 Alianţa Pentru Copii Arad en ............................................................................... 300
5.11 Fundatia Raza de Soare Arad en .......................................................................... 301
5.12 Chestionar Holt Romania Constanta en ............................................................... 302
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in Slovakia ................................ 305
1. The Extent of Child Abandonment in Slovakia ...................................................... 305
2. Legislation relating to Child Abandonment ........................................................... 306
2.1 Current laws associated with child abandonment .................................................. 306
2.2 Legislation that helps to prevent child abandonment ............................................ 307
2.3 Legislation that defines the legal obligations of child protection organisations .... 307
2.4 Legislation relating to family support measures that may reduce the risk of
abandonment ................................................................................................................ 308
2.5 Conclusions on whether the legislation is effective ............................................... 309
3. Data collected from Maternity Units in Slovakia ................................................... 309
4. Preventing Child Abandonment in Slovakia .......................................................... 317
4.1 Working towards good practice in Slovakia .......................................................... 317
4.2 Services that help to prevent child abandonment in Slovakia ............................... 319
4.3 Crisis Centre in Košice, Catholic Charity .............................................................. 319
4.4 Home for Children ‘Nádej’ Bernolákovo .............................................................. 320
4.5 Project ‘KUKULÍK’, Banská Bystrica .................................................................. 322
4.6 Association ‘RITA’, Prešov ................................................................................... 323
4.7 House of Sv. Hildegardy z Bingenu, Catholic Charity, Rabča .............................. 324
4.8 Home for Children ‘RATOLES2Ť’, Tŕnie ............................................................ 325
4.9 House of Maria Magdalene, Žakovce .................................................................... 326
4.10 NGO Áno pre život, Rajec ................................................................................... 327
4.11 House of Sv. Klára, Catholic Charity, Liptovský Mikuláš .................................. 328
4.12 Centrum výchovy k rodičovským zručnostiam pri UNICEF, Bratislava ........... 330
Child Abandonment and its Prevention in the United Kingdom ............ 333
viii