Protection of Children from Violence in the Social Protection System: Analysis of the Normative Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47152/ziksi2025123Keywords:
violence against children, social protection, alternative care of children, international standards, laws, policiesAbstract
Children who have suffered some form of violence often become beneficiaries of social protection services. However, numerous studies indicate that children placed within this system are exposed to various forms of violence during their stay. Although many international and domestic legal acts prohibit violence against children, a small number of documents specifically emphasize the need to protect children within the social protection system. The aim of this paper is to analyze the normative framework for the protection of children from violence within the social protection system, with a focus on international standards and legal regulations of the Republic of Serbia. The paper discusses key international documents, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the General Comments of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the UN Guidelines on Alternative Care. The domestic normative framework includes the Constitution, the Criminal Code, the Family Law, the Law on Social Protection, and other relevant regulations. Various policies for the protection of children from violence in Serbia were analyzed separately, including the Strategy for the Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence and the General Protocol for the Protection of Children from Violence. Special emphasis was placed on the Special Protocol for the Protection of Children from Violence in the Field of Social Protection, as the only document that exclusively addresses the protection of children within this system. Although normative progress has been made, additional empirical research is needed on the topic of violence against children who are users of social protection services and the strengthening of institutional mechanisms for the effective protection of children from violence.
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