The Manifold spoke with five child protection experts in a series of interviews, focusing on the impact that Covid-19 lockdowns have on children faced with abuse and neglect.
The Covid-19 lockdown was challenging for everyone. What did it mean, however, for children faced with abuse or neglect? In Greece, where the child protection system is disjointed, understaffed and disorganised, how did the lockdown affect children who were forced to not have contact with anyone else apart from their abusers? How did State services respond during such a trying period? After the lockdown ended, were any measures put in place to assess and alleviate the consequences for vulnerable children? What is the plan, in case an increase in Covid-19 cases forces a new lockdown?
We sought answers to these questions through five interviews with child protection experts that were streamed live on The Manifold Facebook Page.
Interview #1: Theoni Koufonikolakou
Theoni Koufonikolakou is Deputy Ombudswoman for Children’s Rights.
Interview 2: Antonis Rellas
Antonis Rellas is a film and stage director and a disabled activist with “Zero Tolerance”. (You can also read his previous interview with The Manifold, here.)
Interview #3: Giorgos Nikolaidis
Giorgos Nikolaidis is a psychiatrist, director of the Mental Health and Social Welfare Directorate of the Institute of Child Health, and former chairperson and current member of the Lanzarote Committee. (You can also read his previous interview with The Manifold, here.)
Interview #4: Triantafyllia Athanasiou
Triantafyllia Athanasiou is a social worker, chairperson of the Association of Social Workers of Greece.
Interview #5: Stefanos Alevizos
Stefanos Alevizos is a psychologist with The Smile of the Child NGO.