Large number of signatures collected in the public action symbolically named “I am Signing”

The Women’s Room organized, from September 30 through October 2, 2011, on Trg kralja Tomislava in Zagreb, public action symbolically termed «I am Signing!», which is part of the project «Prevention of Sexual Violence – Step by Step». The project is financially supported by Cooperating Netherlands Foundations for Central and Eastern Europe.

Aims of the action were:

•   to draw public attention to the need for introducing systematic and compulsory education on prevention of sexual violence among youth in secondary schools;
•    to collect signatures of citizens who support such initiative;
•    to express support for the campaign of the Council of Europe to stop sexual violence against children.

The public action included stand with info materials (leaflets and badges created for this event), setting up a ten-meter long sheet and performance by «Zli bubnjari».

Sheet, which was installed for citizens to express support for the action through their signature was filled after the first day. Consequently, we installed another sheet, which was also filled with numerous signatures, but also with comments in support of many strategies for combating violence.

The same public action was organized in Virovitica, Pakrac, and Sisak, in cooperation with partner organizations in the project: S.O.S. Telephone – Call for Help Virovitica, Center for Support and Development of Civil Society «Dolphin», and Center for Women Adela.

A large number of citizens signatures indicates awareness of the public about the problem of sexual violence and violence among youth in general, and their support to all initiatives for combating violence.

 

Sheets from all towns where the action was organized will be delivered to the Ministry of Science, Education, and Sport. We hope this will prompt initiatives to introduce continuous and systematic education about sexual violence into secondary schools.

This action would not be possible without the assistance of our dear volunteers, whom we would like to thank wholeheartedly. We would also like to thank «Zli bubnjari» for their fabulous performance, and all citizens who supported this action.