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UNICEF Safe Point

For children and youth: protection, advice, assistance

The National Assembly is an open, accessible and friendly place to which a child or minor in distress can come for information, advice or protection. It features a Safe point – a specifically indicated public spot where children and minors between 5 and 18 years of age can find shelter in the event of any problem they might encounter on the streets. If children or minors are lost or being threatened or cannot go home or get in contact with their parents, or if they are witness to a criminal or similar act, they are provided emergency assistance by the qualified staff of the National Assembly. All employees and deputies of the National Assembly have basic information on the Safe point. However, it is the National Assembly's reception desk staff or the security unit who ensure appropriate first contact.
UNICEF Safe points, such as at the National Assembly, are appropriately marked.

Unicef safe point logo

 

UNICEF Safe points, such as the one in the Slovenian parliament, are public places that meet the prescribed criteria and are therefore appropriately marked. The criteria, which have also been met by the National Assembly, are the following: the willingness of employees to voluntarily participate in the programme; a location accessible to children and minors; 24-hour operation; and the provision of a peaceful place for a child to wait for assistance. UNICEF Slovenia, which professionally manages and coordinates the Safe points project in Slovenia, organised theoretical and practical training for the employees of the National Assembly. Through this voluntary work, the employees contribute to the realisation of a culture of nonviolence and decent human relations.  

The UNICEF Safe point at the National Assembly was opened on 16 November 2009, marking the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of a Child.

The UNICEF Safe points network is a project that creates a safer environment for children and youth in urban areas. Safe points offer assistance on the spot and at the moment when children and minors really need it, even if the reason for their entry into a particular public building is not evident. Qualified staff in such public buildings are trained to alleviate the child’s immediate distress and refer them to other organisations where they can receive professional help. The existence of Safe points alone offers psychological support to children and minors on city streets. The programme of establishing UNICEF Safe points is currently underway in several Slovenian cities. Information with a list of Safe points in Slovenia is available at the National Assembly's reception desk.

There are more than 1030 UNICEF safe points in Slovenia.

 

Safe point infront of the National Assembly

The Slovenian parliament has gained the status of a UNICEF Safe point. This is a public spot where children and minors between 5 and 18 years of age can find shelter and assistance in distress. The point is open 24 hours a day and the National Assembly's employees are trained to offer a safe haven to children and youth seeking assistance. The National Assembly was the first parliament in the world to become part of the UNICEF Safe points network.