About us
Our Mission
We work to create a culture where the dignity of the child is an absolute value.
And also to promote a safe environment for children. When we talk about child safety, we understand a comprehensive system that consists of preventive and interventional measures to create and maintain a safe environment. It should be implemented by all institutions working with children and act in the best interests of children.
THE SYMBOL OF THE CENTER IS A KITE
The kite is associated with a happy and carefree childhood, where there is room for joy and play. At the same time, the base of this symbol depicts a cross, which indicates that our Center works in the light of the Christian faith and in close cooperation with the church. The kite has two tails: a bigger and a smaller one, which symbolize that an adult should protect a child.
At the same time, the kite is shaped like a shield, which a carefree child can use to protect himself or herself and which we, as adults, can use to protect a safe childhood. Orange in the logo is the color of zero tolerance for violence, and white is the color of purity and good intentions.
Our work is based on the following principles:
Our story
The UCU Child Dignity Centre began its work in January 2021 at the Ukrainian Catholic University. The issue of the protection of minors was the main topic of the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC at the end of 2019. At the same time, the Synod published its message on protecting children, minors and vulnerable persons from various types of violence.
In December 2019, on behalf of the Synod of Bishops, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) appealed to the UCU with a request to establish a Centre to provide support in the training of religious organisations and secular institutions in matters of protection of minors and vulnerable persons.
During the course of our work, we have reached a stage where we realized that we have to work with all institutions that have to do with children, including education, medicine, and the church. Our format of work is aimed at helping to form an effective system of child abuse prevention in these areas.
Directions of our work
Health Care
We help doctors of various specialities master the tools for identifying signs of child abuse and the knowledge of how to react and manage such cases clinically.
Education
We teach and support creating a safe environment for minors so that every school has a system of responsibility for protection against violence.
Church
Through training, formation and expert support, we strengthen the work of the church structure, which is responsible for creating a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults.
We carry out our work in these spheres through the following activities:
Our Team
Khrystyna Shabat
Head of the Child Dignity Centre
Natalya Tarnovska
Project and Program Manager
Ivanka Rudakevych
Head of Projects and Programs
Experts of the Centre
Yuliana Maslak
a child psychiatrist and psychotherapist, accredited in the method of cognitive-behavioural therapy with children, adolescents and adults
Oleksandra Nizdran
a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist
Sr. Tadeya Yartym
an expert of the “Child-Friendly Church” project
Fr. Sava Masnyk
hieromonk, psychologist
Fr. Ihor Boyko
Doctor of Moral Theology, delegate of the Synod for the protection of minors and vulnerable persons
Fr. Teodor Martyniak
Doctor of Canonical Law
Cooperation
We are ready to cooperate with everyone who wants to create a safe environment for minors and vulnerable persons. We can cooperate with you in the following matters:
● conducting a joint educational campaign
● organisation of training and formation sessions
● joint research
Partners
Reports
"Today, the UCU Center for the Dignity of the Child is shaping new meanings for Ukrainian institutions, public organizations, and society as a whole. Our goal is for every adult who works with children to understand and use the mechanisms of preventing abuse of children (safeguarding), and to be able to respond professionally and sensitively to challenges.
We are working to ensure that every organization and institution effectively implements safeguarding policies, is on the side of the child, and protects their rights and dignity." - Khrystyna Shabat, head of the UCU Center for the Dignity of the Child.
