International Day for Children Victims of Abuse: Importance of Psychological Care and Providing a Safe Environment

The world celebrates annually the International Day for Children Victims of Abuse on the fourth of June, a day dedicated to reminding the world of the thousands of children who are subjected to violence and abuse around the world.

The International Day for Children Victims of Abuse is an opportunity to raise awareness and take action to protect the health and safety of children who are subjected to violence and abuse. They suffer not only from physical but also psychological effects, and this leads to long-term effects on their health and happiness in the future.

Dr. Safinaz Abdel Salam, a mental health and family relations consultant, explained that attacks against children have many forms, including sexual abuse, domestic violence, extortion, kidnapping, forced labor and even murder.

The importance of psychological care for abused children:

Prevention of attacks against children is the most important stage in their protection, as this requires comprehensive efforts on the part of society, by raising awareness and education on this issue, providing protection for children most at risk, and encouraging the reporting of any observed attacks.

This day is an opportunity to strengthen solidarity and cooperation around the world in order to protect children from abuse and danger, as we must all contribute to providing protection for children and work together to reduce violence against children and ensure their safety and well-being.

The mental health of children who are victims of abuse can be improved by providing them with a safe and supportive environment, involving them in recreational, educational and creative activities, providing counseling and psychological counseling for them and their families, and raising awareness of children’s rights and protecting them from all forms of abuse.

How can a safe environment be provided for children affected by abuse?

Abdel Salam stressed the need to provide a safe environment for children affected by abuse in order to protect their rights, health and education. Some of the ways in which a safe environment can be provided are:

Establish safe and healthy schools that provide good ventilation, clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and green spaces, and protect children from pollution, hazardous chemicals, and waste.

Provide psychosocial support to children who have been subjected to trauma, harassment, insults or threats, and enhance their ability to express their feelings and solve problems.

Raise awareness of children’s rights and protect them from all forms of abuse, and encourage communities to respect these rights and report any violations.

Promote the active participation of children in making decisions that affect their lives and their environment, and enable them to learn about risks and how to mitigate them.