General

Many have spoken about how children should be treasured and protected because they are our world’s future. Yet, many children still experience various forms of abuse each day. Learn more about protecting children from abuse through this course.

The first step to providing solutions is to identify the problem. Learn more about what child protection is and why it matters through this lesson. 

LEARNING OUTCOME
By the end of this lesson, we will know more about child abuse, child protection, and why child protection matters.


When Whitney Houston was singing about self-love in the song “Greatest Love of All,” she emphasized how important treasuring children was.
This is because the love a child feels translates to the kind of future and relationship they will have with others.
She sings:
“I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way”
The message of how much we should care for and treasure children is a message that we always see--in art, in culture, in the people around us.


Among the billions of children who have experienced abuse, at least 5 children die of abuse every day.


Over 4.3 million children are referred to child protection programs every year.


In 2015, an estimated amount of $2 Trillion was spent by the United States on child protection programs. This covers victim support and criminal justice costs.


If we do the math, the same amount could have sent 1.7 Million children to college.


However, despite all these statistics shown, we have to understand that each number only represents reported cases.


Child Protect states that “for every incident of child abuse or neglect that’s reported, an estimated two incidents go unreported."


According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an abusive childhood can lead to long-term physical, mental, and social problems.


Many children who are reported to have experienced abuse also experience various heart and lung problems.


They are also susceptible to various mental health problems that can possibly lead to addictive behavior, compulsive sexual behavior, or suicide attempts.


Lastly, Childhelp mentions that “[c]hildren who experience child abuse and neglect are about 9 times more likely to become involved in criminal activity.”


Read the following four scenarios and decide:
Which of the following is not a case of child abuse?


Ralph
Ralph needs a new mobile device to work on his school requirements for online classes. However, his parents cannot afford a new mobile device because all their savings were spent on drugs and gambling.


Mimi
As the only child in her family, Mimi receives her parents’ full support for all her needs and hobbies. She always gets the newest dolls and is prone to crying and tantrums if one of her classmates gets one before she does.


Jina
Jina used to have many friends in school, but she started losing contact with her friends ever since she refused to leave her home. She is afraid of showing others the bruises and marks she gets whenever her parents are disappointed with her grades.


Penny
Penny finds herself more comfortable with identifying herself as a girl. Upon telling her parents, they laughed and ridiculed her, saying that she was only going through a crisis and will go back to referring to herself as a boy soon.


Child Abuse and Protection

How are children protected by laws? Learn more about an international treaty that influences countries' national laws on child abuse and protection through this course.

Child Protection Laws:
Convention on the Rights of the Child


LEARNING OUTCOME
By the end of this lesson, we will know more about the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its influence on each nation’s child protection laws.


The statistics on child abuse tell us that it is a serious problem around the world today.
With that, we ask ourselves:
What laws are in place to protect children?
It is important for us to know about an international treaty that influences our own country’s laws on child protection.
Let’s learn more about the Convention on the Rights of the Child.


Are countries allowed to disobey the CRC?


Take a guess…


1. The Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict
Children may only enter the armed forces upon turning 15 years old, and no child should have a direct part in armed conflict.


2. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution[,] and Child Pornography
The state is expected to take maximum measures in order to prohibit the selling of children for sexual exploitation, forced labor, illegal adoption, or any other form of crime


3. The Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure
In cases where the child’s country is not able to protect them, a child may directly file a complaint to the United Nations.


With the implementation of the CRC, are we are close to completely ending child abuse?


Stopping Child Abuse
As with any other crime, the mere existence of laws is not enough to stop child abuse from happening.


There are various factors to consider in order to answer the question of why child abuse still continues to persist, such as:


In order to completely end child abuse, the state should also look into other problems in society that enables child abuse to happen in the first place.


Only then may we be able to see children live out the expectations and standards set by the CRC.


Child Protection Laws: Convention on the Rights of the Child

How do we ensure that we are making comfortable spaces for children? Learn how we should respectfully interact with children through this lesson.

LEARNING OUTCOME
By the end of this lesson, we will know more about how to respectfully interact with children, especially during volunteering opportunities.


In the previous lesson, we learned about an international agreement that protects the rights of children.
We have also discussed how the problem of child abuse is a systemic problem.
Despite the scale of the problem, we can always do our part to lessen child abuse and provide comfortable spaces for children.
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) outlines obligations that its volunteers and partners should undertake to ensure children's comfort.
These guidelines can come in handy when you also choose to volunteer for children’s welfare.


1. Treat children with respect
Remember that all children are entitled to non-discrimination.


2. Act according to national and international laws on child protection.
This ensures that children feel safe and comfortable.


3. Do not harass children, engage in any form of sexual relationship, or use children for labor.
Refrain from engaging in any form of action that is considered child abuse.


Whose actions reflect respect for children’s privacy?


Interacting with Children

Prevention and protection work hand-in-hand. What would you do in the face of a case of child abuse? Learn more about how to report cases of child abuse.

LEARNING OUTCOME
By the end of this lesson, we will know more about how to report cases of child abuse.


Which of the following are possible signs of child abuse?


As the person who reported a case of child abuse, bear in mind that you are not obligated to prove that the child abuse happened.
Instead, it is important for you to gather information that can help authorities investigate the issue.


"But how can I be sure that the child is experiencing child abuse?"


What kind of information can you report in a case of child abuse?


Your name is Kendra, a hotel staff member who resides in Northbrook, Illinois.


After a long day of work, you decided to unwind in your living room by watching a new TV series.


However, while watching, you hear shouting from the house beside yours. The father of the household appears to be screaming, throwing threats, and breaking objects.


Upon looking through your window, you see the father and the mother beating up their 8-year old daughter, Tina.


You started to become increasingly alarmed when it appeared that the father started to wield a knife.


How should you interact with a child who has just experienced abuse?


Upon taking the civic responsibility of reporting child abuse cases, there might be situations where you are left with the child.


In such cases, it is important to remember the following:


1. Become the child’s support
It is a vulnerable time for the child. Make sure to stay present and act according to the child’s best interest at the moment.


2. Talk to the child
Do not force them to speak if they are not comfortable. In cases where they are, make sure that it is done with utmost respect for the child’s privacy and comfort.


3. Talk to their parents or guardian
Only do so if the parents are not the cause of the child’s abuse. This can help their parents know more about the situation and, consequently, help their child cope with the experience.


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