Lecture for participants of the program at the Philosophy and Theology Faculty of UCU.

On December 13, Ivanka Rudakevych, Head of Projects and Programs at the Child Dignity Center, delivered a lecture for participants of the "Christian Tradition for the Modern World" program at the Philosophy and Theology Faculty of UCU.

The lecture, titled "Creating a Safe Environment for Minors and Vulnerable Persons: The Context of Society and the Church," covered topics such as the types of abuse and its impact on a person's future life. It also addressed online abuse and how often our children are harmed online, as well as the concept of safety, its dimensions, and necessary components.

Ivanka Rudakevych reminded the participants of the key documents guiding the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. These documents regulate how the Church should respond to abuse cases, who is responsible for handling them, and where to report incidents of violence.

The program participants were also introduced to the results of the research "Sexual Abuse in Ukraine: From Awareness to Protection" (2021), conducted by the Child Dignity Center in partnership with the Fama Research Agency, and the opportunities and resources offered by the Child Dignity Center at UCU for professional use.

The expert emphasized that the responsibility for children's safety lies with all adults. Timely reporting to social services, juvenile police, or hotlines can help stop violence against children. These reports can be anonymous, but they will be thoroughly investigated and responded to.

Let us work together to create a safe space for our children.