CHILDREN TO THE FORE! - SAfAIDS

Group sharing: How can we help as individuals and as a community? Discuss the following solutions asa group:Neglect••••Encourage the community to offer support to children and parents/guardians.Encourage community networks to get involved in severe cases.Empower parents/guardians by teaching good parenting skills.Provide counselling for the child or family.Sexual Abuse•••••••••Educate the community on the dangers of sexual abuse.Involve communities and police.Report any known or suspected case.Offer psychosocial support and medical treatment.Educate parents/guardians in not judging the child.Develop guidelines to assist community members to identify child abuse cases.Set up networks of children helping children.Increase use of victim friendly courts.Make use of the Criminal Codification Act which allows anyone, even a neighbour, to report onsuch cases.Emotional Abuse••••Offer love,support and security to the child through hugging,holding and cuddling.Ensure you understand the problem and take appropriate action in the best interests of the child.Provide psychosocial support to the child.Help build the child's self esteem and let them know that they are special.Physical abuse•••••Caregivers should be educated in the advantages of bringing up children well.Let care-givers know the dangers of abuse and the lasting effects this can have.Take the child to the clinic or doctor for treatment of their injuries.Educate children on their rights to empower them.Encourage a child to report bullying and follow this up by talking to teachersor community leaders.38Handbook on Child Rights and Culture