Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
In Italy:
- 100,000 children and adolescents are under the care of social services due to maltreatment, including physical, emotional, and educational neglect. (CESVI Fondazione)
- In 2023, the Ministry of Interior reported 2,843 crimes against children.
Porcospini: Empowering Children and Families against child sexual abuse and violence
Based in the Lombardy region, Northen Italy, and led by the organization Specchio Magico, Porcospini is a school-based prevention project aimed at preventing abuse and mistreatment of minors. It exists in three different formats:
- Porcospini Baby (for 5-year-old students)
- Porcospini (from 9 to 10)
- Porcospini Web (from 11 to 14)
Through interactive workshops, children develop awareness of their bodies, emotions, and relationships with both peers and adults, learning to identify risks and protective factors.
Today, Porcospini is Italy’s leading initiative for the primary prevention of sexual abuse and maltreatment of minors.
With Kering Foundation’s support, the goal is to expand into new regions, particularly Southern Italy and Sardinia while strengthening synergies with local communities and institutions.
Innovating for Child Protection and Early Intervention
Specchio Magico is a non-profit cooperative founded in 2001 that focuses on child protection by:
- improving the quality of education,
- preventing abuse and mistreatment of children, families, and communities to enable early intervention,
- enhancing the ability to detect signs of abuse and mistreatment,
- strengthening the capacity to support and protect children.
Specchio Magico demonstrates innovation and creativity in designing sustainable, evidence-based intervention models, building transferable best practices, and leveraging the strong expertise of its operational staff.
Between 2008 and 2024:
