Children are subjected to pernicious types of abuse, exploitation, and violence. It occurs in every nation — both online and in settings where kids should be the safest—their homes and schools. The three types of child abuse are physical, emotional, and sexual. National Child Protection Week is a yearly occasion celebrated to highlight the significance of protecting children against abuse. Being observed from 4th to 10th September 2022, this year’s theme is ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go.’
The aim of observing National Child Protection Week is to encourage individuals, communities, and nations to work in collaboration to keep children safe. Mental and physical health, education, care, disability, drug and alcohol intake, violence, and domestic abuse are some dimensions in which children need particular protection.
Why Is National Child Protection Week Important?
According to the Child Protection Australia 2019 – 20 Report, children frequently experience harm at the hands of the individuals they trust. The most frequent primary kind of abuse or neglect confirmed for children nationwide is emotional abuse (54%), which is followed by neglect (22%), physical abuse (14%), and sexual abuse (9%).
Physical injuries like cuts, bruises, or fractured bones can occur immediately to children who have been abused and neglected. Additionally, they might experience emotional and psychological issues like anxiety or post-traumatic stress.
Long-term risks for abused or neglected children include future victimization and perpetration of violence, substance misuse, sexually transmitted diseases, delayed brain development, reduced educational achievement, and fewer job possibilities.
National Child Protection Week gives organizations and communities a platform to play a part in meeting local children’s needs. It encourages them to enhance the safety and wellness of children and young people by educating, empowering, and providing resources. The purpose of child protection is to ensure the safety, well-being, care, and protection of children through an integrated multi-disciplinary approach.
How To Protect Children From Abuse?
Here are some ways you can protect your children from abuse:
Know The Signs Of Abuse
Abuse can manifest in several other ways besides only unexplained wounds. Here are some indications of family issues that may mean a child is neglected or subjected to physical, sexual, or emotional abuse:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Abrupt changes in eating or sleeping habits
- Inappropriate sexual behavior
- Poor hygiene
- Difficulty making friends
- Secrecy
- Hostility
Maltreatment includes physical and sexual abuse, but it also includes neglect, when parents or other caretakers fail to provide a child’s fundamental needs for care, food, and clothes.
Once you know the signs and symptoms of abuse, it is easier to identify and report it, preventing future incidences. Monitoring behavioral changes can lead to early detection of the underlying abuse and protect your child from more significant problems.
Teach Your Kids Online Safety Rules
UNICEF reports that 80% of children feel at risk of being sexually assaulted and exploited online. Therefore, it is essential to ensure your kids are aware of the following guidelines for online safety:
- Never divulge any personal information without permission, including their name, address, phone number, their parents’ workplace, and their school’s name and location.
- Never send anything, including pictures, over email without first consulting a parent.
- Immediately switch off the monitor/phone/laptop and inform a parent if they find something that makes them feel uneasy in any manner.
- Understand that not everyone they speak with online is who they claim to be.
- Never consent to a meeting without first consulting their parents.
- Never respond to offensive or nasty comments
- Never express themselves rudely or post hurtful words online.
Report Child Abuse
Abuse can happen anytime and at any place. If you suspect your child behaves abnormally without underlying medical conditions, chances are they are being exploited. Always call 911 if you see a youngster being mistreated or neglected. You may use a device for personal safety, such as Silent Beacon’s panic button, to notify 911 when there’s an emergency and you need immediate assistance.
If you believe a child is in danger, you can report it by calling the hotline in every state. You may find the number by simply typing your state’s name and “child abuse hotline” into your computer browser. Each state’s list is provided by the National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence.
You can also call Childhelp, a national hotline for reporting child abuse, at (800) 4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Continue reporting if you notice several individual incidences of abuse. The more information you can gather, the better the authorities can deal with the matter.
How Can a Personal Safety Device help?
The Silent Beacon personal panic button is possibly the best way to keep your child safe. This Bluetooth gadget enables your child to notify friends, family, and emergency personnel with the push of a button in the event of an emergency when used in conjunction with the free Silent Beacon app for kids.
Personal safety gadgets let children immediately ask for assistance while it monitors them and traces their real-time GPS location. They may press the panic button or alert their parents, for instance, if a stranger starts following them or they feel unsafe at school.
To request emergency assistance, all your child has to do is press the Silent Beacon kids safety device’s button. Additionally, your child may stay in touch and communicate with you while waiting for assistance, thanks to the two-way voice communication feature. The GPS technology precisely pinpoints the Beacon’s location, so first responders won’t have trouble finding your child.
Conclusion
It is important to remind parents and caregivers that they should talk to their kids about personal safety and what to do if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation at an appropriate age.
Every child has the right to be shielded from abuse, exploitation, and violence, regardless of the situation. National child protection Week spreads awareness about caring for those most in need, such as children who have been uprooted by war, poverty, or natural disasters; those who have been the targets of child labor or human trafficking; and those who are disabled or in foster care. Above all, safeguarding children’s physical, mental, and psychosocial needs is essential to ensuring their futures.
