Parents should behave toward children with the power of arguments, instead of resorting to physical abuse. They should always bear in mind that negative consequences from violence over children can have long-lasting effects later in life.

This was stated by Minister of Health Nikola Todorov before the start of a regional conference of the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), organized in Skopje by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.

"The conference aims at underscoring the protection of children's rights regarding violence. Macedonia is making solid steps in an effort to improve the situation. Trainings have been organised where doctors have been educated to detect signs of violence when used on children," Todorov stated.

Such incidents in early childhood, the minister added, trigger negative consequences later in life that can be manifested through addictions, diabetes, various forms of depression, etc.

WHO coordinator for violence prevention, Alexander Butchart said that one of the issues discussed at the conference would be the link between alcohol and violence.

"Alcohol causes different kinds of violence that occur in homes, pubs, outside the community. This is shown by many researches suggesting that children exposed to negative experiences start drinking alcohol later on," he noted.

Earlier, a research on risk factors from the abuse and neglect of children was presented. 11% of boys and girls have been subjected to physical abuse and 30% have been emotionally neglected. The research was conducted amongst high school and university students.