2024-11-06 15:53:00
“The greatest dangers lurk in the family,” says self-conscious managing director Gabriele Rothuber. Your association has reached 70,000 people with lectures, school visits and other projects. The department faces further challenges.
Vulnerable children are exposed to violence every day. 95 percent of it takes place in the family and the immediate environment. The “Self-Confident” department was founded in 2004. Over the past 20 years, numerous concepts and measures have been developed for the entire state to raise awareness in this area and protect children from violence.
Managing director Gabriele Rothuber has been part of the association since 2006. “We reached over 70,000 people throughout the state of Salzburg. They were in our school workshops, received support as parents in sex education or strengthening their children, and were educational specialists in our coaching, webinars and child protection courses,” says the managing director.
Sexual violence has been planned for a long time
Since 2012, the association has been supporting organizations in creating child protection concepts so that they gain competence when it comes to suspected child endangerment. Violence in its many facets can occur wherever adults live and work with children. Some forms of violence occur due to excessive demands and powerlessness. However, sexual violence does not “happen”; it is always planned well in advance. “The choice of profession, voluntary work and employer is already a targeted strategy for perpetrators. Protection concepts help to minimize risks,” explains Gabriele Rothuber.
The proportion of foreign perpetrators is five percent
In these 20 years, the self-image of child protection has changed. According to Rothuber, most adults now realize that it’s not enough to teach children how to shout “no” loudly or send them to self-defense courses. The proportion of strangers is around five percent; the danger lurks much closer, usually in the very close social environment. A different approach is needed here.
“It is important to raise children with self-confidence so that they know that their bodies are special, that they can reject unpleasant touches, that there is the right to a non-violent upbringing, where they can go with bad secrets and where they can get help “, says Rothuber. It is the adults who are responsible for the welfare and protection of children.
Although the club has achieved a lot over the past 20 years, there are also challenges. “We only have limited resources. In the current school year there are around 50 classes that we can no longer go to.”
Many teachers are overwhelmed
Another problem is that dealing with sexual violence and sex education are hardly firmly anchored in training and curricula. “Many teachers don’t know what to do when a child who has been subjected to violence confides in them,” says Rothuber. Associations with children are now obliged to develop protection concepts in order to receive financial support. For Rothuber, this is another step towards children’s safety.
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**Interview with Gabriele Rothuber, Managing Director of the “Self-Confident” Association**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Gabriele. Your organization has made significant strides in raising awareness and protecting children from violence. Can you share more about the mission of the “Self-Confident” department?
**Gabriele Rothuber**: Thank you for having me. Our mission is focused on protecting vulnerable children, especially from violence that occurs within the family, which is alarmingly frequent. We aim to provide education and resources to both parents and professionals to create safer environments for children.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that 95 percent of violent incidents occur at home or in the immediate environment. How does your organization address this issue?
**Gabriele Rothuber**: We develop concepts and programs that raise awareness about the signs of violence and provide coping strategies. Since our founding in 2004, we have reached over 70,000 individuals through workshops in schools, webinars, and coaching sessions. We also support organizations in creating child protection plans to ensure they are equipped to deal with suspected cases of child endangerment.
**Interviewer**: It sounds like your work is incredibly impactful. Could you tell us about the specific challenges you’re currently facing?
**Gabriele Rothuber**: One of the biggest challenges is changing societal attitudes toward violence. Many people still struggle to recognize the signs or believe it can’t happen in their own families. Additionally, there are ongoing needs for resources and training for educators and parents to effectively address and prevent violence.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned the importance of recognizing that sexual violence is often planned. Can you elaborate on this point?
**Gabriele Rothuber**: Absolutely. It’s crucial to understand that sexual violence is not a spontaneous act; it is typically a premeditated decision by the perpetrator. This realization underscores the importance of education and prevention strategies that help adults recognize risky behaviors and environments before they escalate into harm.
**Interviewer**: what can the community do to support your efforts?
**Gabriele Rothuber**: Communities can help by being more engaged in discussions about child protection, attending our workshops, and advocating for stronger policies. Support from individuals, schools, and local organizations is vital for creating a safer environment for children and ensuring that they can grow up free from violence.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Gabriele, for your insights and the essential work you do in protecting and empowering children in the Salzburg area.
**Gabriele Rothuber**: Thank you for shedding light on this important issue!
