Since 2018, the Keep Me Safe (KMS): Supporting youth peer development tacking sexual abuse (2018-3-UK01-KA205-060055) project aims to educate professionals working with young people and raise their awareness about the prevention of child and adolescent sexual abuse. At the same time, the project aims to provide professionals with knowledge as so they can facilitate and support young people themselves to form peer support groups.
The KMS project is co-financed by the Erasmus + program of the European Commission, in which “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (HFC) participates, together with the partners - RINOVA LTD (UK), London Youth (UK), SOSU (DAN), Eurocircle (GAL), Science & Research Center Koper (SLOV) and Know & Can (BUL).
During the project, a variety of activities took place with the most important ones being the training implemented together with youth workers as well as young individuals. The former, was held from an experienced trainer to the youth workers working with young individuals at shelters for Unaccompanied Minors (UMs), whereas the second training was given from the youth workers to the UMs themselves. The implementation of both activities, was based on the curriculum that the partners developed during the first phase of the project. As a tool that will allow the continuation of the right form of education, to both youth workers and young individuals, a mobile app has been developed which includes all the relevant information surrounding the topic of sexual abuse. More details on this coming soon!
In the framework of the project coming to an end, HFC hosted, with great success the Final conference together with the Multiplier Event on Thursday 2nd of September 2021, at Hellenic Bank Headquarters in Cyprus. The event attended representatives of the partner organizations from Europe, both in presence and through Zoom due to restrictions in place for travelling on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local participants, also included students, local authorities and stakeholders who have supported the project throughout its duration. Following the Final Conference, the final partnership took place with all partners gathered (visually and face-to-face) where they shared their experience from the beginning of the journey, discussed the next steps for the sustainability of the project and expressed their gratitude for the fruitful results of the program. The continuous engagement and collaboration with the community, as well as with other public and private entities promises exciting times for the future since the team will carry on providing the professional support needed.
The KMS network will continue to grow and evolve into a transnational one, with its primary concern being to help as many young individuals as possible to become correctly informed about the matter of sexual abuse in a way that ensures both their safety and well-being. Stay tuned for more details on the KMS mobile app! And while waiting, take a look at our project website http://keepmesafe.eu/