Detecting and reporting acts of child abuse.

Recently, there have been a series of serious cases of child abuse, causing both physical and mental harm to children. The indifference and lack of intervention from some people when they discover child abuse also needs to be addressed to minimize the unfortunate consequences that may occur.

Family and loved ones are the safest haven and support system for children, not a place where abuse can occur.

What is most heartbreaking about recent child abuse cases is that they are perpetrated by family members. According to Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Manh Ha, a psychology expert and lecturer in the Faculty of Educational Science and Technology at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the most painful aspect of these recent child abuse cases is that the children are so young, defenseless, and completely dependent on their parents and close relatives. Yet, those who should be loving and caring for them are the ones committing the abuse. As a result, some children have lost their lives in their childhood, while others, despite receiving treatment, carry the trauma for the rest of their lives.

According to Dr. Pham Manh Ha, the reasons leading to parental abuse of their own children can stem from life pressures. Many incidents occur when adults experience marital breakdown and then remarry. The child from the previous marriage sometimes becomes superfluous, or may remind them of past conflicts and traumas.

Furthermore, some people lack stable employment, face pressure to make ends meet, and have precarious incomes, especially migrant workers. They often live in makeshift accommodations and change residences frequently. They view child abuse as a way to relieve stress and release their frustrations. Over time, this becomes a habit, and innocent children endure beatings without any means of resistance.

Some perpetrators of domestic violence come from backgrounds where they lacked the full love and affection of their families, and were not educated in parenting skills or knowledge. Sometimes, they themselves suffered psychological trauma as children and then project that trauma onto their children.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Mothers and Children, Ministry of Health, stated: "A child who has been abused is usually identified by their crying, bruises, and other marks left on their body. If the abuse is repeated, what is the role of neighbors, caregivers, etc.? Some people still have a hesitant mindset; they think this is a private matter for each family and therefore are reluctant to intervene."

It is precisely because of this mindset that many people, even knowing that children are being abused, do not intervene or report it to the authorities. If only a call to the 111 hotline, the National Child Protection Hotline in Vietnam, had been made, the child abuse could have been prevented, and these heartbreaking and regrettable consequences could not have occurred.

The roles of schools, primary healthcare , neighborhood committees, and the community are crucial. Teachers, healthcare workers, neighbors, and relatives are the people best positioned to detect early signs of abuse in children. The legal framework for child protection is comprehensive, encompassing the Children's Law, the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence, and various guiding decrees. However, the gap between these decrees and their practical application remains significant.

According to Decree No. 56/2017/ND-CP, which details and guides the implementation of several articles of the 2016 Law on Children, each commune must have a person in charge of child protection, responsible for preventing, detecting, and intervening early when children are at risk of violence or abuse. The spirit is to protect children early, not wait until they are severely harmed before taking action. However, in reality, most officials in charge of child protection at the commune level are also responsible for many other fields, making close monitoring difficult. In addition, many perpetrators of child abuse belong to the group of migrant workers, frequently renting and changing residences, making it very difficult for local authorities to manage them.

The Ministry of Health will study and expand the "one-stop shop" model for protecting children who have been abused or assaulted. This model is currently operating quite well in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a hospital-based model designed to provide timely assistance to victims of violence, as most victims of abuse and violence are discovered at healthcare facilities.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc

According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc, the Ministry of Health will research and expand the "one-stop shop" model for protecting children who have been abused or assaulted. This model is operating quite well in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a hospital-based model designed to provide timely assistance to victims of violence, as most victims are discovered at medical facilities. Furthermore, the model will intervene and provide emergency assistance to victims who are unable to defend themselves, ensuring their safe rescue.

The Ministry of Health has issued a document requesting that the People's Committees of provinces and cities strengthen communication, raise awareness and responsibility among the people, all levels and sectors in detecting, reporting and handling cases of violations of children's rights; and strictly punish agencies, organizations and individuals who conceal, fail to report or denounce acts of violence and abuse against children...

Text and photos: THUY QUYNH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/phat-hien-to-giac-hanh-vi-bao-hanh-tre-em-post964269.html