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| Sunday, 13 October 2002 |
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Urgent interventions needed for child victims of trauma and violence by Carol Aloysius The Health Ministry has sent out an urgent SOS to all its staff islandwide to initiate immediate action to halt the growing number of child abuse cases and to introduce suitable interventions to deal with children affected by Trauma and Violence, in their respective districts. They have warned that if such measures are not introduced soon, both children and society as a whole stand to lose from the adverse consequences of violence afflicted on children. "Children are the most important recourse for our future. Trauma and violence, either within the house or outside, affects their lives, their health and happiness, and their ability to function productively as adults and contribute towards the country's development process. We must therefore find ways of protecting our youngest citizens", states a Health Ministry circular sent out to all Provincial Directors of Health Services, directors of Specialised campaigns, Heads of institutions and Principals of schools of Nursing, on the eve of International Day of Mental Health, which fell on October 10. The Health Ministry has proposed a dual approach in dealing with children who have suffered from trauma and violence; namely, prevention of trauma and violence on children and secondly quick and effective intervention. "Because violence and trauma result from a multitude of factors, co-operation across various sectors of society is a must", Ministry sources stressed in its SOS to health officials and workers around the island. To help initiate suitable action, the Ministry has proposed the following guidelines as possible key strategies for dealing with young victims of trauma and violence. They include; Educating families and the communities; Providing effective interventions and creating awareness among health workers and the public in general on the internationally accepted Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), besides sensitising them on the physical, mental and emotional consequences of violence on children. In this respect, Health officials in all districts have been advised to organise lectures, discussions and conduct poster and essay contests at grassroots level and upwards in co-operation with provincial councils, urban councils, Pradeshiya Sabhas, Kantha Samithis, School Development Councils and Youth Clubs. Violence and trauma can affect children drastically, even if they are only witnesses to the violence, reiterated health sources at a recent media seminar on "Children affected by Trauma and Violence". "They can lead to fear, confusion, depression, withdrawal, nightmares, anger, digestive problems, and disturbed sleep patterns among other things". D. Nail Fernando, Consultant Psychiatrist, Angoda Hospital said that there were three forms of violence; namely, domestic or family abuse and community violence, violence caused by War and abuse among refugees and media related violence. Domestic violence could take place in four ways, namely, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and emotional abuse, The impact of such violence could be felt even by infants and toddlers. "Even witnessing such violence has a detrimental effect on a young child", he stressed. Sexual abuse of children placed them at higher risk of sexual problems. "When a child is abused, the whole of society suffers because he may become a delinquent, a substance abuser, a criminal, and so pose a threat to society", he pointed out. D. Fernando further noted how war had a horrific impact on the victims, usually the refugees who were subjected to rape and torture, children being the most vulnerable. Violence in the media also served to increased anti social and aggressive behaviour on the part of children and make them less sensitive to violence." By seeing so much violence on the T.V. and in the newspapers, children may view the world as violent", he observed. D. Swarna Wijetunge, Consultant Psychologist, Kalutara Hospital, spoke on the negative reactions of children who witnessed violence or were victims of violence and trauma, which .ed to anxiety, hyperactivity, and anti social behaviour among school children. she urged school teachers to praise their students instead of criticising them." A word of praise to a single student can help to boost the morale of the entire class", she said, adding that it was the duty of society as a whole to erase fears and uncertainties in the minds of chidden, by steering their thoughts from the negative to the positive by encouraging them to use their talents in drawing, writing, singing, productively. The seminar sponsored by the WHO was organised by the Health Education Bureau. |
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