Challenges and solutions in supporting children experiencing sexual abuse

On October 26, in Hanoi, Hagar International in Vietnam organized a seminar on “Challenges and solutions in supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse”. The event attracted many officials working in child protection and care at the central and local levels.

Propaganda to prevent violence and child abuse
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“Virtual Assistant” - application to support the prevention of child abuse
National Child Protection Hotline communicates on child abuse prevention

In her opening speech, Ms. Giang Thi Thu Thuy - Executive Director of Hagar International in Vietnam said that children are vulnerable, sexual abuse not only affects their childhood but also their later life due to long-term trauma and psychological damage.

Ms. Giang Thi Thu Thuy - Executive Director of Hagar International Organization in Vietnam delivered the opening speech at the seminar.

“As a leading organization in supporting people who have experienced violence, abuse and trafficking, directly providing support to victims with psychological, medical, cultural and educational needs, including children who have experienced sexual abuse, we realize that no matter how strong we are, we cannot solve the problem independently, but need the joint participation and coordination of agencies, departments and organizations to together create a profound influence with positive impacts on children and the community,” Ms. Giang Thi Thu Thuy shared.

The reality of child sexual abuse

According to the Ministry of Public Security, from June 2018 to 2020, 4,795 cases of child abuse were detected nationwide with 4,914 children being abused (581 males, 4,333 females). In 2020 alone, 1,945 cases occurred with 2,008 children being abused.

Ms. Nguyen Thuan Hai - Head of the National Child Protection Hotline 111 said that in the first 9 months of 2023, the number of calls to 111 was 238,500 (in 2021, it was 507,861 calls, in 2022, it was 368,346 calls). Of which, there were 92 calls for support and intervention regarding sexual abuse (in 2021, it was 205 calls, in 2022, it was 170 calls). Notably, there were up to 83 children under 16 years old who were sexually abused and needed support.

Ms. Nguyen Thuan Hai - Head of the National Child Protection Hotline 111 reported cases of child sexual abuse that have been supported by 111 in recent years.

Analyzing a total of 467 calls for support and intervention in sexual abuse in 2021, 2022 and the first 9 months of 2023, the number of cases of child abuse (under 16 years old) was 440, with 442 children. Of the 442 children who were sexually abused, 426 were girls (accounting for 96.4%) and 16 were boys (accounting for 3.6%). Many very young children were sexually abused (14 children aged 0-3, 33 children aged 4-6). Typically, a 5-year-old girl in Ba Ria - Vung Tau was sexually abused leading to death; a 2-year-old girl in Binh Thuan was sexually abused by an acquaintance of the family. Up to 28.2% of perpetrators of child sexual abuse are relatives of the children.

Ms. To Thi Hanh - Advisor of the Trauma-Based Support Program of Hagar International in Vietnam also said that through the organization's support practice for 39 children and 51 people over 18 years old who were sexually abused in the past 5 years, the perpetrators of child sexual abuse are mainly fathers, stepfathers, family acquaintances, neighbors, online friends, boyfriends...

Ms. To Thi Hanh - Advisor of the Trauma-Informed Support Program of Hagar International in Vietnam shares Hagar's experience in supporting sexually abused children.

Most child abuse cases often occur in remote areas, ethnic minority areas with complicated developments. The subjects who commit child abuse are of many ages and social classes, but most have low educational levels and limited legal and social awareness. The victims are often children under 16 years old and mainly girls.

The consequences of child abuse for victims do not stop at immediate injuries but can also leave long-term effects on their future lives.

On the other hand, children who experience sexual abuse are 2-3 times more likely to be re-victimized as adults.

Difficulties for local officials when supporting sexually abused children

At the discussion, Ms. Tran Thanh Huyen - Officer of the Yen Bai Provincial Women's Union said that according to data from the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs of Yen Bai province, in the first 9 months of 2023, the province recorded 13 cases of child abuse (including 11 cases of child sexual abuse). The abuse cases mainly occurred in remote areas, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

Ms. Tran Thanh Huyen - Officer of Yen Bai Provincial Women's Union presented some challenges and solutions in supporting children experiencing sexual abuse in the locality.

According to Ms. Tran Thanh Huyen, ethnic minority children who are sexually abused face many difficulties. They cannot speak the common language, even their mothers cannot. The Women's Union that wants to provide psychological support or provide knowledge about life skills to abused children encounters many difficulties, and must rely on interpreters.

In addition, when supporting sexually abused children, local Women's Union officials also encounter some common difficulties such as some sexually abused children living in remote areas, difficult transportation, families prioritize material difficulties, not giving priority to spiritual support for children. Awareness of parents, caregivers and the community is still limited. Meanwhile, Union officials have to take on many other jobs.

To minimize child sexual abuse, according to Ms. Tran Thanh Huyen, there needs to be close inter-sectoral coordination between organizations and authorities. It is necessary to strengthen prevention work, raise awareness of sexual abuse and related laws; integrate into life skills programs in schools. Early identification and intervention helps increase confidence in the law and contributes to reducing physical and mental consequences for children and their families. Improve knowledge and skills for staff in the child protection system to provide timely support, especially activities such as initial psychological first aid and reduce stigma and re-traumatization for children.

Delegates attending the seminar took a souvenir photo.

Cooperating with a number of localities in supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse, Ms. To Thi Hanh said that in recent times, Hagar has made efforts to consult on rights and legal issues for children and their families; prevent re-traumatization of children before, during and after they participate in medical and legal processes and return to school, promote trust in justice for children and their families through meetings between families and authorities...

After receiving trauma-informed support, children have confidence and a connection with their support person; they are willing to share with their support person and connect with third parties (police, doctors, lawyers and reconnect with caregivers); they feel respected and understood; they accept what happened in the past; they understand their rights, benefits and have a rational view after the incident.

“Each contact between the support person and the child can be like a time to help dry the wound, like dropping a disinfectant solution or helping to bandage the wound - limiting exposure to toxic dust and smoke,” shared Ms. To Thi Hanh.

The discussion with the theme “Challenges and solutions in supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse” was organized with the aim of raising awareness and promoting the spirit of cooperation and inter-sectoral coordination in the work of protecting and supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse. This is an opportunity for those working in child protection and care to share experiences and discuss breakthrough solutions to increase the effectiveness of coordination, creating a favorable environment for children to access appropriate support services based on the principles of respecting children’s rights, putting children at the center, supporting based on understanding of trauma… to be able to accompany, heal and heal psychological wounds.

Nguyen Huyen

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