To prevent the situation of "children giving birth", Ho Chi Minh City launches an emergency support model

(NLDO) - During 2 years of trial operation, this model has supported 224 victims, most of whom are girls under 16 years old who are pregnant and giving birth.

On May 28, Ho Chi Minh City officially launched three "one-stop" models to support women, children and victims of violence and abuse at hospitals: Nhi Dong 1, Nhi Dong Thanh Pho and Trauma and Orthopedics. This is an expansion of the first model called "Dandelion" which was piloted at Hung Vuong Hospital.

Representatives of units signing to participate in the model

Previously, in 2023, Ho Chi Minh City built a "one-stop" model at Hung Vuong Hospital with technical support from UN Women, PE&D and many other international organizations. This model provides closed support services for victims of gender-based violence, including medical care, psychology, legal, accommodation support, connection to social services, etc.

After only 2 years of implementation, this model has supported 224 cases of women, female adolescents and children who have suffered violence, of which 194 are under 16 years old and are pregnant and giving birth (accounting for 86.61%). In addition, nearly 1,009 other cases examined and treated at Hung Vuong Hospital also show an alarming number of "children giving birth".

With the three newly expanded models, when patients come to hospitals where the model is implemented, if there are signs of violence or abuse, they will be transferred to a "one-stop" room to receive support. From here, specialized units such as Social Work - VocationalEducation for Youth in Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate with functional agencies, associations, and local authorities to intervene, protect, and support victims. In cases of urgent need for temporary shelter, victims of violence will be transferred to the center to receive comprehensive care, therapy, connection to essential services, and support to return home and reintegrate into the community afterwards.

People needing support can contact the hotline 1900 54 55 59 or go directly to the "one-stop" room at 4 hospitals: Hung Vuong, Nhi Dong 1, Nhi Dong City and Trauma and Orthopedics HCMC.

At the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung affirmed that the implementation and expansion of victim support models is an important step forward for the city in preventing and responding to gender-based violence.

Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung speaks at the ceremony

The Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee highly appreciated the close coordination between city departments and international organizations such as UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, PE\&D... in building a multi-sectoral, interconnected model from reception, emergency support to home repatriation monitoring and psychological, legal and social intervention.

"Violence and abuse occur in many forms, in families, schools, workplaces, public spaces and even online. Therefore, no agency can solve the problem on its own. We need synchronous, inter-sectoral and sustainable coordination," Mr. Dung emphasized.

The leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee directed the Department of Health to complete the gender-sensitive medical examination and treatment process; the Department of Home Affairs to develop a project to ensure personnel and budget to operate the model; the Department of Education and Training to ensure that children who have suffered violence are supported to return to school; the Department of Culture to review the media to eliminate gender stereotypes; the police, judiciary, courts, and prosecutors to directly participate in the models to protect the rights of victims.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/ngua-tinh-trang-tre-em-sinh-con-tp-hcm-ra-mat-mo-hinh-ho-tro-khan-cap-1018793.html