Fuenlabrada introduces innovative child abuse prevention program

Fuenlabrada has presented an innovative and unique program in Spanish municipalities aimed at preventing and protecting children and adolescents in the city from violence.

The program, which is the result of work carried out in previous years in collaboration with UNICEF and other Spanish municipalities, is based on a community approach to early detection of possible cases of violence suffered by minors in our city.

To achieve this, there is a network of all sensitive public services, from health to education, including other municipal services, with the aim of establishing a clear protocol that allows for immediate action when a possible case of violence is detected.

«Networking is a hallmark of Fuenlabrada’s intervention with children, adolescents, and their families. We have many eyes watching over childhood and adolescence in our city, and we aim to continue promoting the involvement of all community actors and the collaboration of everyone to continue building a protective environment,» explained Mayor Javier Ayala.

The mayor emphasized the need to continue ensuring that «Fuenlabrada is a safe environment where childhood and adolescence are protagonists in the development of this city model, being seen, heard, and taken into account as full-fledged individuals who can rely on a community that offers them the necessary resources to grow and develop as individuals in all areas of their lives.»

The presentation of this initiative took place at the «Community that Protects: Innovation and Prevention for Children and Adolescents» conference organized by the Department of Social Welfare of the Fuenlabrada City Council, providing an opportunity to learn about new perspectives and innovative strategies in social intervention with children, adolescents, and their families.

During the conference, the prevention of violence during childhood and adolescence was discussed through the fundamental role that the community plays as an active agent in creating safe and protective environments.