ZAGREB, 1 June (Hina) – UNICEF Croatia launched a campaign in Zagreb on Monday marking Global Day of Parents, warning that every second child in the country experiences physical or psychological punishment at home.
Luisa Brumana, head of UNICEF’s office in Croatia, said most parents understand that violence is unacceptable, but stressed that parenting requires continuous learning and support.
She said the campaign, titled “Even a Little Violence Is Too Much“ Learning About Parenting”, aims to reach as many parents as possible and encourage discussion about the challenges of raising children without judgement.
“Parents today are aware that violence is not a good approach to parenting, yet every second child still experiences psychological or physical punishment,” said Martina Tomić Latinac, head of child protection at UNICEF Croatia.
She said psychological punishment often includes insults, threats, harsh language and emotional distancing, adding that such forms of violence tend to become more common as children grow older.
Among the most common reasons for violent reactions by parents, she cited stress, feelings of helplessness, a lack of alternative parenting tools, experiences from their own childhood and socioeconomic pressures.
Hana Hrpka, executive director and president of the Hrabri telefon (Brave Phone) child support association, said children and young people most frequently seek help because of anxiety, depression, fears and self-harm.
She added that recent years had seen a sharp increase in mental health difficulties among children and young people, driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, social media and pressure to achieve high standards.
“A few years ago, the most common reason for calls was child abuse and neglect, whereas today more than 40% of calls relate to the mental health of children and young people,” Hrpka said.
She said around 100 trained volunteers answer calls to the organisation’s helplines and that, when it assesses a child to be in immediate danger, Hrabri telefon directly contacts the police and relevant authorities.
