World health organization recent report finding shows that around 300 million children aged 2-4 years suffer both physical and emotional violence by parents and caregivers regularly. Usually, child maltreatment has been linked with sexual abuse and physical violence. However, there are many other types of actions and interactions that come under child protection or maltreatment that badly harms child both physical and mental health such as physical punishment, psychosocial abuse, sexual abuse, ill-treatment, neglect, negligence, medical child abuse, bullying, calling the child worthless, using bad names, underestimating, timely emotional support, timely addressing basic and developmental needs, etc. There are myths related to child protection in society some are as follow:
1. People usually define child protection as safety from sexual abuse and physical punishment.
2. Child abuse only happens in poor families.
3. People are sensitive about this and have knowledge that they deliver to their children to help them learn self-protection skills.
4. Child within the family is safe.
5. The early experiences of child abuse can easily be addressed, and the effect is minimal.
6. Strangers mostly prey on children while seeking alone.
7. It is the responsibility of the parents to take care of their kids.
8. Children are safe in Day Care Centres and with Caretakers.
9. Girls are more vulnerable than boys.
10. I cannot do anything regarding child protection in my society.
Most of the time children unable to report such incidents with a fear that the abuser may harm the family or child, emotional barrier, and anxiety, lack of bonding with parents, parents’ attention, and observations, etc.
The child is not only the responsibility of the parents but the community, society, and nation as well therefore, tangible steps should be taken to mitigate such evil acts and protect children from any type of harm. Parental awareness sessions should be arranged in local languages where the parents should be given knowledge of the symptoms of any type of maltreatment along with ways for timely intervention. Government should make it part of the curriculum and arrange self-defense and life skills classes from early childhood education, Self-protection, and awareness ECE daily routine plans should be developed. As a responsible citizen, we should not hide and protect the culprits even if is a son or family member. Street shows should be arranged where the people must be sensitized to play their role as good citizens and protect the future nation. Special police forces should be hired and trained to provide a safe environment to the child within and outside the home. It should be one of compulsory course in teacher education and at master level with education courses and teachers training programs. Counselors should be designated at the school level. Whereas clinical psychologists along with health workers should pay door-to-door visits.
Remember: together we make a difference.