AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE CHILD
Child Victim Assistance Program
The Child Vicitm Assistance Program assists hundreds of child victims of abuse and violence cope with the damaging impact of their experience, and supports them through the criminal judicial process. This program, both unique and important, is not provided by any other governmental or voluntary body.
Ombudsman for Children and Youth
Strong, independent and effective, the Ombudsman works to defend and protect Israel's children against violence, cruelty, exploitation, deprivation, neglect and other forms of maltreatment and to serve as an advocate for children in all aspects of life.
The Ombudsman receives approximately 9,000 requests for assistance each year, addressing issues directly affecting between 10,000-12,000 children.
Within the Ombudsman, units deal with special populations:
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Ombudsman for Ethiopian Immigrant Children and Youth
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Ombudsman for Immigrant Children and Youth from the Former Soviet Union
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Ombudsman for Children in Out-of-Home Placement ("Friend Away from Home")
The Children's Rights Mobile Unit
The Children's Rights Mobile Unit is an innovative and interactive program designed to introduce children to the concept of children’s rights and responsibilities; stressing violence prevention, equality and respect for themselves and the responsibility to protect these rights for others.
The mobile unit has reached tens of thousands of children in schools, community centers, summer camps and youth groups across the country. Aspects of children's rights are dealt with such as finding non-violent solutions to problems, safe surfing on the Internet and the right to every child to a say over his/her own body.
The Children's Advocate -
Working for Change
The NCC works to protect children's rights through the initiation and promotion of pro-child legislation and public policy affecting children and youth in Israel.
Dealing with very practical issues in the field of child protection, a major focus is to establish important precedents while initiating and/or amending legislation which accomplishes the task of actually giving children their due rights.
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Initiating and advocating legislation which protects and advances the interests of children
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Raising public awareness and understanding of children's issues and children's rights
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Entering into litigation and presenting petitions to the Israeli High Court of Justice aimed at changing policy and establishing pro-child legal precedents on issues affecting children
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Gathering and analyzing court opinions on matters of child welfare
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Promoting the recognition of children and young people as individuals participating fully in all the decisions that affect their lives