In recognition of the pivotal role educational institutions play in identifying and preventing domestic violence among the youngest members of society, the National Network to End Violence against Women and Domestic Violence organized a series of three-day training sessions for the professional service teams in Skopje’s kindergartens and secondary schools. Collaborating with approximately 30 psychologists, pedagogues, social workers, special education teachers, speech therapists, and rehabilitators, our dedicated psychotherapists from the Women’s Support Center – Skopje aimed to enhance their ability to recognize and support children and adolescents experiencing violence in their homes or schools, providing initial psychological assistance before connecting them with the appropriate institutions. Here’s an overview of the training:
Day 1: Laying the groundwork
- Reflecting on personal attitudes toward child abuse.
- Defining and identifying signs of violence.
Day 2: The Art of Healing
- Introduction to projective techniques of art therapy for working with children.
- Developing a positive approach inspired by Montessori pedagogy.
- Techniques from Gestalt therapy and the Oaklander approach for working with adolescents.
- Tools for assessing risk and levels of concern.
Day 3: Building resilience
- Practical strategies for working with traumatized children/adolescents and monitoring cognitive and behavioral changes.
- Recognizing the school’s crucial role in effecting positive change: enhancing communication skills for effective cooperation with parents.
Throughout the training, experiential exercises enriched the learning experience, ranging from simulated conversations with children and parents to precise risk assessments of hypothetical situations and in-depth case studies. Beyond imparting knowledge, the training instilled a profound sense of responsibility and capability among professionals to protect and support children.
This training initiative was conducted as part of the project “Counseling Centers for Women and Children Victims of Gender-Based and Domestic Violence,” supported by the City of Skopje and implemented by the National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence.
