Urgent Reforms Needed in Hungary’s Child Protection System, Says MEP Dávid Dóral
MEP Dávid Dóral has called for immediate reforms to tackle abuse and improve conditions within Hungary’s child protection system. She highlighted chronic challenges, urging enhancements in social worker compensation, professional training, and greater expert involvement in policymaking, reports 24brussels.
Dóral’s statements come as part of her campaign for the upcoming elections with her party, TISZA. She stressed her commitment to implementing substantial salary increases for social workers and renovating child protection institutions, emphasizing transparency in high-profile abuse cases.
In a detailed assessment, MEP Dóral pointed out the systemic neglect that has plagued Hungary’s child protection system for decades. She stated that the current system merely reacts to crises without addressing underlying issues. “For 28 years, the child protection system in Hungary has only ‘put out fires,’” she said, summarizing the frustration that arises from inadequate salaries and lack of respect for social workers.
“By offering a fair salary and giving these social workers the appreciation their work deserves, many professionals could return to Hungary from abroad and help our children,” Dóral emphasized. She advocates for collaborative legislative reforms, involving input from social workers in decisional processes, and enhancing training with incentives such as scholarships.
Additionally, Dóral pledged that should TISZA gain the public’s trust and win the elections, her party would enact a 25 percent salary increase for child protection workers, boost operational funding by 20 percent, and commit to renovating all child protection institutions by 2030. This initiative reflects her dedication to both improving working conditions and the facilities themselves.
Addressing accountability in cases of abuse, particularly when officials appear unresponsive, Dóral made a firm promise. “If TISZA wins the next elections, we will immediately make public the full dossier of the presidential grace granted in the Bicske case,” she stated. This remark references a controversial pardon concerning a deputy director implicated in a child abuse cover-up, underscoring broader systemic challenges within the sector.
Ultimately, MEP Dávid Dóral conveyed that reversing years of neglect demands bold reforms that prioritize respect for social workers, adequate funding, and a strong political will to ensure accountability and protect vulnerable children across Hungary.
