Report on awareness campaign arranged to coincide with the international day of child helplines (2010)
In 2010 the International day of child helplines was held under a slogan: “Raising awareness of child helplines – a step towards a child’s security!” and was devoted to raising children’s awareness of emergency psychological help services in Russia.
The National Foundation for the prevention of cruelty to children (NFPCC) initiated the celebration of this day in Russian regions by sending letters to heads of Russian constituent entities, with the suggestion to organize events from 10th to 17thMay, 2010.
According to the information received by NFPCC by June 1th 2010, celebration of the International day of child helplines was held in 62 Russian regions.
On May 17thNFPCC held a conference devoted tothe International day of child helplines in Information agency “RIA-Novosti”, in which the following persons took part:
Nadezhda Gerasimova, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation,
Pavel Astakhov, Presidential Ombudsman for Children's Rights in the Russian Federation (video message),
Marina Gordeeva, President of the board of the Russian children in need fund,
Marina Egorova, President of the National Foundation for the prevention of cruelty to children.
The press-conference united 37 journalists from 27 federal and regional mass media, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Press and Information of Moscow Region and the Union of journalists of Russia
In all, 234 notices on the International day of child helplineswere registered in the mass media of 39 regions withinthe framework of the awareness campaign.
The Federal mass media have seen 2 published materials, 10 TV broadcasts, 5 radio broadcasts and 12 notices, that were posted on websites of information agencies and internet portals.
74 printed materialswere publishedin 51 regional printed publications, 8 radio programs were broadcast, 32 pieces were shown on TV and 92 notices were posted on websites of information agencies and internet portals.
It is important to note that:
- materials were published in printed publications, and information was posted in electronic mediain 83 % regions,
- radio and TV programs were broadcast to highlightactivity of child help linesin every third region,
- regional TV channels broadcast commercials and “roll titles” with telephone numbers of child helplinesfrom 10 to 17th MAYin every fifth region.
80% regions saw various events: round tables, PR-events, trainings, educational seminars for specialists on prevention of cruelty to children, as well as the increase in social advertisingof helplines.
In 30% regions (Republic of Adygeya and Mariy-El, Chuvash Republic, Chechen Republic, Stavropol Krai, Khabarovsk Krai, Astrakhan Region, Vologda Region, Irkutsk region, Kemerov region, Kirov region, Nizhni Novgorod Region, Rostov region, Sakhalin region, Tula region, Tyumen Region, Ulyanovsk Region, Chukotka and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts ) additional hot lines were operating during the period of 14-17th May, to assist the main helplines, providing psychological and awareness support to children and parents in need.
In every second regionpupils of general education schools and institutions of primary education and secondary vocational education received information on child helplines at lessons of “Life safety fundamentals”from 10 to 16th of May.
In more than 50 % regionsteachers and specialists of emergency psychological help services provideddetailed information on child helplines at class meetings and open lessons.
Teacher-parent meetings on the prevention of cruelty to children were held in every fifth region.
Administrations of 62 regions implemented the suggestions of NFPCC on raisingchildren’s awareness by increasing advertising of child helplines:
- In more than 80% regions various printed materials were published by 17May containing information on helplines (calendars, flyers, booklets, posters)
- According to about 60% regions, banners were posted on regional websites of executive authorities displaying phone numbers of child helplines.
- Numbers of child help lines were displayed on cross street banners, billboards and LED displaysin cities of every third region.
- In every forth region the information on child helplines was delivered through public transport advertising.
- Additional information, highlighting the work of child helplines, was placed on stands of educational and social institutionsin more than 35% regions.
- In Mordovia and North Osetia- Alania Republics there were held SMS-actions among the youth “Tell your friend about a helpline”
In general, NFPCC conducted a larger scale awareness campaign compared to the previous year. The number of regions celebrating the International day of child helplines increased by 12%.
For the first time the Russian association of child help linesreceived support and was greeted by the Presidential Ombudsman for Children’s rights in RF, Pavel Astakhov and the Government of the Russian Federation in person of Deputy Chairman of the Government, Alexander Zhukov. This year’s campaign is characterized by enhancement of interaction between legislative and executive authorities on federal as well as on regional levels, when organizing and holding events.
Theefforts of thousands of professionals resulted in the 53%increase of children’s awareness of emergency psychologicalhelp services in 62 regions of Russia.
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