Improving Justice in Child Contact (IJCC) is a partnership project across five European countries (Scotland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania) and is being hosted by the University of Edinburgh.
The project’s aim is to improve how children’s rights are upheld in child contact systems, where the children have experienced domestic abuse. Together, the partners will find out what we can do better to effectively listen to children and young people and to make changes which ensure their safety and the safety of their mothers.
Each country will be exploring ways for children and young people to participate in their own particular context. Taking forward the learning and outcomes from two Scottish models – Power Up, Power Down, and the Children’s Rights officer, to develop their own individual needs. We will each work alongside key stakeholders in our home countries to examine and improve the barriers which stop children’s views being taken into account in child contact decisions.
To do this work effectively children and young people must be central to the project. Scottish Women’s Aid is fortunate to have a young expert group, Yello!, who support and guide the project. Each young expert has experienced domestic abuse and has taken part in previous participation models. They are uniquely positioned to advise partners on how best to involve and protect children and young people within their settings.
The project is also supported by Matter of Focus who are evaluating the progress and outcomes. The learning will be shared within each partner country and across the wider network and public.
You can read more about the project and hear directly from Yello! here.
If you would like further information, please do contact Sue McKellar, SWA’s IJCC Project Co-Ordinator.
The Improving Justice in Child Contact project is funded by the European’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020)
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