«Children's rights are often not implemented»

Ms Inderbitzin, why do we need the Children's Ombudsman's Office?
Children are more vulnerable than adults when it comes to protecting themselves from violence and discrimination. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is intended to ensure this protection. Unfortunately, children's rights are often not or insufficiently implemented.

In divorces, only ten per cent of children are heard.

For example, the right to express an opinion, be informed and be heard. In divorces, for example, only ten per cent of children are heard. The Children's Ombudsman's Office mediates wherever a child comes into contact with the legal system.

Who can contact you?
Children from about six years of age. Counselling is always by telephone. The children are often in conflict-ridden situations with a long history. They often have to deal with a divorce or being placed with someone else. We cover all areas of law - from juvenile criminal law to school law.

We once received a call from a girl who had been excluded from school because she had become violent. However, we learnt that she had never had the opportunity to explain her side of the story. The pupil would have had the right to a hearing with the school management. We arranged for this hearing to be held at a later date. It emerged that the girl had been severely bullied. She was allowed to stay.

How do you help children?
We always proceed in the same way: We listen to the child and try to find out what the issue is. Often their rights to information and to be heard have been violated and the child has not been properly informed about decisions: they are then unable to understand why they are in the situation they are in. We clarify the situation and help to categorise it. This is often not enough.

The child's rights to information and to be heard are often violated.

If it turns out that a child was unable to express an opinion on an out-of-home placement, we clarify: Was a hearing missed? Who should have initiated this step? We contact the specialists involved and ensure that such omissions are rectified. A child must be heard. This does not mean that their wishes can always be implemented. But it is important that they feel they are taken seriously and not left to their own devices.