Udalekus to Incorporate Child Protection Delegate After Bernedo Case

The Basque Government approves a new decree to enhance safety in summer camps and prevent sexual freedom offenses.

Generic image symbolizing child protection and summer camps.
IA

Generic image symbolizing child protection and summer camps.

The Basque Government has approved a new decree requiring udalekus to appoint a child protection delegate, aiming to prevent incidents similar to those reported at the Bernedo camp.

This decree on educational leisure and free time activities, which develops the Youth Law 2/2022, specifies the requirements that children's and youth leisure activities, such as camps, volunteer programs, and summer colonies, must meet.
The new regulations impose greater control over these activities to prevent the recurrence of cases like the one at the Bernedo udaleku, which is currently under judicial investigation for alleged sexual freedom offenses.
The decree, expected to come into force before this summer, mandates that organizations running udalekus must appoint a child and adolescent protection delegate, equipped with the necessary training for this role. This delegate can be the camp director, provided they have the required qualifications.
The delegate's responsibilities include explaining violence prevention and protection protocols and activating them when necessary. They will also be responsible for reporting any situation of violence or suspicion, in accordance with current regulations, and protecting sensitive data of minors, among other duties.
The responsible declaration that organizers must submit to institutions, which is much more exhaustive than previously required, must include an action protocol against violence towards children and adolescents, and annually renewed negative certificates of sexual offenses for all staff. This decree will replace the current one, which dates back to 1985 and established much less detailed requirements.