"The issue of child abuse is best known today both at the level of schools and the various intervention programmes that we have implemented on the ground." The statement was made by the President of the Government and was issued today after receiving the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth of Ponta Delgada at an audience held at the Sant'Ana Palace.

Carlos César considered that the Azores have showed some progress in different aspects of this problem. For example, the number of foster children has considerable dropped: in 2009 the number of children and youngsters living at temporary shelter centres decreased from 650 to 342 children and youngsters as of this month. In fact, this considerable decrease is also the result of the successful action undertaken by these intervention teams that that have promoted the necessary conditions for reintegrating these children into other active environments, thus ensuring their healthy growth."

The issue of child abuse has also drawn the attention of public entities as well as of several private institutions in the area of social solidarity and intervention.

According to the President of the Government, "we have developed a series of programmes designed to support families, children and youngsters. These initiatives are also intended to acquire in-depth knowledge on this problem in order to develop an intervention allowing a multidisciplinary action and the integration of these children into a healthy environment."

For Carlos César, these programmes have also been implemented in the Azores "thanks to the voluntary work, skills and dedication of many people. Despite the particularly difficult circumstances, the results have been positive." "We should all be committed to this work, the Government, through the Azores Social Development Institute, and the society in general, through a multiplicity of organisations."

The Commission for the Protection of Children and Youngsters of Ponta Delgada, in partnership with the City Hall and the "Escolhas" Programme, have teamed up to organise activities in the context of the Child Abuse Prevention Month in April with the purpose of turning this initiative into a National Child Abuse Prevention Day in the medium and long term. The Commission awarded the President the symbol of the "Blue Ribbon" campaign representing the solidarity towards this cause.