The Government this morning published guidelines on fighting child abuse for the voluntary and community sector.
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Ms Mary Hanafin
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Minister of State for Children Ms Mary Hanafin said the guidelines give sound advice for organisations such as youth clubs and sports clubs on how to tackle to the problem of child abuse.
The guidelines - based on Children First - National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children- include advice on the promotion of child welfare and safe practices in work with children, fact sheets and a training video for the community and voluntary sector, and guidance on how to recognise signs of child abuse.
"The importance and dedication of the voluntary and community sector who work with our children on a day-to-day basis must be acknowledged," Ms Hanafin said.
Finance for the producing the guidelines has been provided from the €9.47 million given to health boards in 1999 to implement Children First - National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
Some of the funding is being used to create the post of information and advice officer in the health boards whose job is to support voluntary and community organisations in creating safe environments for children.