Brussels, 22/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has allocated 5 million euro, from the budget EU 2000, for 47 projects beginning in 2001 and aimed at combating violence against women and children, in the framework of the "Daphne" programme. Established by a Council and Parliament decision in 1997, on a proposal by the Commission, this programme has already supported 150 NGO projects combating violence against women and children, for a total of 11.5 million euro. The 2000 programme differs from the earlier initiative as: 1) public establishments may henceforth put in their candidacy, whereas previously only NGOs and the charity organisations were eligible;
2) the programme is also open to countries candidates for EU membership from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to EFTA countries (see EUROPE of 31 March 2000).
Welcoming this decision, the European commissioner responsible for justice and home affairs, Antonio Vitorino said that: "Although the Member States have the prime responsibilty to tackle this problem, the European Community can help by encouraging the creation of networks, exchange of information and common recognition of best practice. We can also reduce violence by raising public awareness of its causes and consequences". The Commissioner especially welcomed participation of the candidate states in this programme, countries that share a common problem of the trafficking in women and children, and which will benefit to a great extent from the Daphne programme.
The projects approved cover a large range of activities. For example: 1) violence against children: development of a global model to take on victims of intra-family sexual abuse; identification of child Internet victims; providing advice and guidance to professionals concerned about how to identify and support children who are abused and pictured online; 2 )violence against women: breaking cultural taboos linked to domestic violence between the immigrant populations; strengthening the networks of associations combating modern forms of slavery; 3) trafficking in human beings: evaluating models of assistance to victims so as to identify best practice; training and methodological support to training (brochures, videos, guides); creation of networks or even Internet sites to guarantee better protection for victims of trafficking; 4) genital mutilation of women; the setting up of an information campaign and the training of medical personnel, as well as psychological support for the victims.