Debate in the National Council: Sect report causes a dispute over child protection

Debate in the National Council: Sect report causes a dispute over child protection

In today's National Council meeting, several important topics were discussed, including the controversial cult report. [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250710_ots0002/nationalrat-sekn report reports that the debate was controversial, in particular the freedom-related criticism. Nevertheless, all factions agreed on their commitment to prevention and protection of children and adolescents.

An application initiated by the government factions ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos pursues the goal of strengthening psychosocial support in schools. The establishment of more positions and improving the framework conditions for psychosocial staff are central demands. Further measures include long-term financial security for low-threshold support offers and the strengthening of extra-curricular child and youth work.

claims to improve child protection

The initiative also provides for the convening of a round table to harmonize and further develop standards in child and youth welfare. The aim is to strengthen cross -departmental violence prevention, whereby the focus is in particular on evaluating existing offers. However, a majority found that the Greens' motion for a resolution of the Greens, who wanted to introduce mandatory child protection concepts for private summer camps.

The sect report, which was mostly noted, is referred to by the FPÖ as "political agitation" and "ideological work". They criticize that traditional values and critical opinions are delegitated in this context. In the subsequent discussion, the SPÖ indicates the Corona denial scene's entanglements of the FPÖ, while the ÖVP emphasizes the importance of the Federal Office for Sect questions.

prevention in focus

Following the killing spree in Graz, the National Council debate calls for increased focus on prevention and psychosocial support. For this purpose, the ÖVP plans a comprehensive package of measures that aim to better accompany children and adolescents in difficult life situations. SPÖ and NEOS emphasize that help offers must be accessible to everyone, whereby mental health is emphasized as a social task.

The development of strategies for the prevention of child and youth crime is another important concern. The Federal Ministry of Youth has already established many measures here that help strengthen the cooperation between child and youth welfare, school, police and judiciary. According to bmfsfj.de suspected children and adolescents only appeared by the police, but there is a small group of intensive substances with complex problems.

The central contact in this area is the job for children's and youth criminal prevention at the German Youth Institute, which serves the federal government as the basis for the development of new strategies. These measures are crucial for the promotion of a safe environment for children and adolescents as well as for combating violence and crime in society.