Establishment of Interdisciplinary Child
Protection Teams in a Traditional Society:
Experience in Turkey 2001-2010
R. Oral MD
University of Iowa, Child Protection Program
Contributors: A. Akin, S. Aksit, C. Aydin, A. Balseven, A. Baransel,
U. Beyazova, F. Beyastas, O. Bezirci, B. Buken, E. Buken, A.
Camurdan, A. Celik F. Cuhadaroglu, T. Dagli, B. Demirel, O.
Derman, Y. Ersahin, N. Gazioglu, B. Gökler, S. Gulnar, M.A. Inanici,
E. Iseri, A. Karaoglan, F. Koc, F.S. Orhon, C. Özbesler, D. Ozdemir,
F. Pasli, F. Sahin, U. Tiras, A. R. Tumer, B. Ulukol, R. Uslu, F.
Yagmur, S. Yalcin, S. Yaylaci, C. Yorulmaz, K. Yurdakok
ISPCAN 12th European Conference
Tampere, Finland 2011
Glossary
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TSPCAN: Turkish Society
for the Prevention of CAN
ICCR: International
Convention on Children’s
Rights
TMA: Turkish Medical
Association
MDT: Multi-disciplinary
team
PA: Physical abuse
EA: Emotional abuse
HS: High school
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SA: Sexual abuse
CAN: Child abuse & neglect
UMSH: University Medical
School Hospital
CH: Children Hospital
UI: University of Iowa
CPP: Child Protection Program
CAC: Child Advocacy Center
NGO: Non-governmental
organization
CPT: Child Protection Team
Problems in CAN in Turkey
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Lack of structured national prevention program
Lack of comprehensive child protection law
Lack of comprehensive definition of CAN
Professionals lack:
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Awareness, knowledge, willingness
to recognize & report CAN
Inadequate resources for CAN
Lack of collaborative mind-set
University of Iowa Child Protection Program
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Mission :
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…
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Professional education
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International education in developing countries
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Focus on Turkiye
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Portugal
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Pakistan
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Greece
University of Iowa (2001-2011)
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National Collaboration established
involving UMSH/CHs in Turkiye
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Establish culturally competent,
interdisciplinary training activities annually
on CAN
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To train the trainers: 5 faculty trained in USA
To motivate establishment of multidisciplinary
teams:~ 30 MDTs established in 17 provinces
Training Activities (2002-2011)
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National conference every year, 2-6 in-service
courses/symposia/workshops annually
Focus: Ankara (most advanced teams and
policy makers/government)
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Secondary focus Izmir & Istanbul
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Tertiary focus: Peripheral small provinces
Training Activities (2002-2011)
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~8000 professionals participated
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Medicine, mental health, nursing, public
health, social work, education, law
enforcement, prosecution, NGOs,
government, policy makers, prevention…
Outcome of Training Activities
(2002-2011)
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Regional MDT organizations improved
5 faculty trained at the UI CPP for 1-6
months
Hospital CPPs are establishing databases
Numerous international peer reviewed
publications
Clinical Research in CAN & system
response to professional developments
Research
Clinical
translation
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
Outcome of Training Activities
(2002-2011)
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Regional MDT organizations improved
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5 faculty trained at the UI CPP for 1-6 months
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Hospital CPPs are establishing databases
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Numerous international peer reviewed
publications
Policy makers and government involved
Bill on CAC-based child protection
response to sexual abuse being debated
in parliament
Clinical Research in CAN & system
response to professional developments
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
Most structured Child Protection Teams
and Centers at metropolitan universities
Other CPTs established as a result of UI
CPP activities
Other international semi-structured CPTs
established independent of UI CPP’s
activities
ANKARA
Distribution of the current structured and semi-structured hospitalbased child protection teams (CPT) in Turkey.
One case can make a difference…
* Newspaper columnist,
supporting government
* Sexually abused a 14 y/o
* Government tried to cover
it up
* Child psychiatrist exposed government
* Two parliamentarians reached out to collaboration
* Collaborative drafting of a bill for CAC model
Policy makers
Ankara U MDT
Betul Ulukol
UI MDT
Resmiye Oral
Child Psychiatrist A. Erdogan
Ministry of Health
MoHealth MoJustice MoInterior MoSocialS MoEducation
MoLabor CourtofAppeals MoCommunication
Ankara University University of Iowa
INTERMINISTERIAL HIGHER COUNCIL
Ankara CIM=CAC: 11/2010
ANKARA
Figure 2. Distribution of the current structured and semi-structured hospitalbased child protection teams (CPT) in Turkey.
Ankara CIM=CAC
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Higher council meets every 3 months
Provincial government established
regional child abuse task force similar to
higher council
Task Force meets every 2 months to
refine protocols and emerging needs,
reports to higher council
Ankara CIM=CAC
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CIM staff consists of
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1 forensic med physician, 1 pediatrician, 1
child psychiatrist
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3 psychologists (forensic interviewers)
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2 social workers (child advocates)
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1 secretary and 1 security staff
Ankara CIM=CAC
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Ankara prosecutor’s office, Regional Social
Services, law enforcement each has a staff
during hours on site
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To contribute to forensic interview
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To guide psychosocial evaluation
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To be part of decision making
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To initiate community case-management on-site
Ankara CIM=CAC
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Ankara population= 4.5 M
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Child population ~ 1-1.5 M
Ankara CIM/CAC is receiving 4-5
cases a day
Still the tip of iceberg!
Current goals for 2010-2015
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Integration of the pilot Child Advocacy
Center Model into Child Protection Law
Disseminating the model to all
provinces (2013-2014)
Development of a National Database for
case and offender tracking
Enhancing government efforts on
implementing ICCR
Ankara CAC: 11/2010
ANKARA
… Pilot CACs: 2011-12
Figure 2. Distribution of the current structured and semi-structured hospitalbased child protection teams (CPT) and proposed CACs.
Certified personnel
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Ankara UMS and MoHealth staff are
working on developing a licensing
program to train and license
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Physicians
Forensic interviewers
Child advocates
Ankara CIM will become national
educational center
Pts 03 Hzr 2002, 05:15 Türkiye iller haritası
In 2013-2014: Nationwide dissemination of the model
Future implications
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Integrate university CPCs into MoHealth
network of CACs
Collaboration between University CPCs
and CACs to conduct research
Assess efficacy and issues
Re-evaluate model and improve cultural
competency
Thank you.
Resmiye-oral@uiowa.edu