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Children in focus: strengthening their voice in child protection in Freckenhorst!
On October 9, 2025, a prevention forum on child protection took place in Freckenhorst, which discussed the participation of children and young people.
Children in focus: strengthening their voice in child protection in Freckenhorst!
Nowadays it is more important than ever to actively involve children and young people in child protection. On October 9, 2025, an important meeting took place as part of the Child Protection Prevention Forum in Freckenhorst, organized by experts from youth welfare, healthcare and education. Under the direction of Dr. Tanja Rusack and Alida Birke from the University of Hildesheim focused on the participation of children and young people in the development of protection concepts. Around 150 specialists took part in this annual forum, which has been offering a reliable platform for professional exchange since 2022. The aim is to sustainably strengthen the protection of children and young people Warendorf district reported.
The discussions and impulses were deepened in professional forums that dealt with the legal framework and the challenges surrounding the participation of the youngest. Dr. Oliver Bokelmann from the Institute of Educational Science at the University of Münster presented practical approaches to integrating participation into everyday educational life. In addition, Jan Schnieder and Sabrina Husemann from the General Social Service presented methods for actively involving children in child protection procedures. Also Dr. Jana Demski addressed the power relations in help planning and discussed ways for the young people concerned to actively participate.
Right to participation
As the Living Quarter clarifies, children and young people have a legally guaranteed right to participate. This co-determination is not only a democratic principle, but also an important protective factor against violence and abuse of power. Studies show that active participation has a preventive effect against institutional and interpersonal violence. Children who are involved in decisions develop a better sense of boundary violations and feel safer, which strengthens their ability to speak up when insecurities or attacks occur.
However, in many educational institutions this right is still inadequately implemented. It is therefore crucial that all actors in child protection recognize participation as a central component of their protection concepts. Different levels of participation play a role: individual, in everyday life, structural and in complaint management. Children should know their rights and be able to exercise opportunities for participation, for example in shaping their environment or developing group rules.
Practical approaches and methods
Practice shows that different formats are crucial for successful participation. This includes regular children's conferences, wish and suggestion boxes as well as helping to design concepts. The quality of child-friendly participation is measured by comprehensibility, voluntary nature and the seriousness with which the children's contributions are treated. Children must be aware that their opinions count and that their comments are taken seriously.
Exchange and networking among specialists is essential in order to put these values into practice. At the event in Freckenhorst, not only methods were presented, but concrete successes were also shared. It became clear that promoting participation strengthens both the children and the institutions themselves and makes a positive contribution to active child protection.