Child Abuse in South Asian Eyes

This is an interesting research article posted in the Stop Honour Killings website. "Child Abuse is Dishonour" basically presents the survey results from the communities from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Communities across the South Asian countries deal sexual abuse cases with their victims. They don't bring the perpetrators to justice.

This article says, "Most people surveyed said they would prefer to deal with suspected child abuse themselves rather than involve the police or social services. They were afraid that the child could be removed from their family, and felt that the authorities did not understand their religion and culture. NSPCC Asian helpline manager Saleha Islam said: “We want to send out a message to the British Asian community that putting up a wall of silence will not protect children. It will only protect the abuser who will be free to abuse again.”

What should we do for these communities to increase their awareness about child protection? Read more!

Rights for Children

Do you really care for rights for children here, there and everywhere? Are you really sure that children are safe and happy all over the world? What have you done for a child next to you? This is an inspirational music video to remind us our duties for children. Courtesy of: naturalchildhood blog. Enjoy now:

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Troubled Child Welfare in New York City

A 7 year old child's death in New York last year by her step father shook the community. The story is a sad reminder for the community to show what happens when the New York City's Administration for Children's Services (ACS) failed to protect children in its care. Christian Science Monitor ran a story on January 26, 2006, that showed how the city failed to correct the systematic deficiencies. More money and support were promised to revamp the agency. Now after a year, New York Public Radio runs a story on March 22nd to show how the city is laying off current case workers and replacing them by hiring 500 more case workers to provide services to 17,000 foster care and 27,000 in home care children. The reform is bringing hope although it's not free from concern and controversies. Read more!

Vulnerable Girls in the Streets of Dhaka

This story portrays a grim picture of street girls in the city areas of Bangladesh. Increasingly girl children are abandoned and forgotten in busy streets of the flourishing cities. They live on their own by selling water bottles, candies, flowers who will never be picked by any child protective services. There are no mandated child protective services or shelter homes in Bangladesh for abandoned children. In the recent months, more children became homeless as the Interim Government demolished slums and illegal establishments without any thought for rehabilitation. Watch a video report by Reuters presented on February 27, 2007: Poverty Grips Bangladesh (nuvu.tv).

Just imagine the lives of the girls on the streets as 70% of them will be ultimately sexually abused, one survey revealed. As one report indicates the horrible condition of these children, "a 2005 survey by Rainbow Nari O Shishu Kallyan Foundation on sexual activity among street girls underscored that street girls are extremely vulnerable to sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). More than half of the boys interviewed and more than three quarters of the girls, including 20 percent of those under fifteen, admitted they were sexually active. Sixty-one percent of the boys said they had forced a girl to have sex with them". Read this article from NFB. Read more!

Child Protection in the USA

Child Protective Service is the cornerstone of child welfare services. It is designed to protect children from physical, sexual, mental abuse, neglect and maltreatment by the family or caretaker. Child Protective services in each jurisdiction ensures that children are living in a safe, loving and caring environment. Public child welfare agencies in the Washington, DC metro are mandated to ensure that children are safe from any abuse and neglect and they are cared appropriately by their families. If you need more information about saving children from any unsafe environment or suspect that children have become victim of abuse and neglect, you need to contact your public child welfare agency where they live.

Child Protective Service responds to any child abuse and neglect incidents and reports. Most of the physical abuse indicators constitute non-accidental injuries such as assults, burns, fractures, bruises, unexplained physical injuries and severe beatings. Sexual abuse incidents occur when children are exploited for gratification by older children or adults. Most of the neglect incidents happen when children are deprived of basic food and clothing, supervision, and education. Most of the neglected children are deprived of care and love and they live in dangerous and unhealthy living environment. Children�s Bureau provides a chart of legal definitions of child abuse and neglect used across the United States.

By law, Medical Doctors, Nurses, Day Care Workers, Teachers, Shcool Officials, Social Workers, Mental Health Professionals, Police Officers, Psychologists are mandated reporters. Apart from mandated reporters, any person who is concerned about a child�s well-being is required to call Child Protective Services in his/her local jurisdiction. It is simply a moral and civic responsiblity to save a child from danger. When you call, you may give your name or stay annonymous. If you choose, your name will be kept confidential. Followings are the list of different jurisdictions in Washington, DC Metro area:

Alexandria City, Virginia:
Arlington County, Virginia:
Fairfax County, Virginia:
Montgomery County, Maryland:
Prince George's County, Maryland:
Washington, District of Columbia:
Children's Bureau:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Read more!

Child Protection in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, child protection is integrated into social servcies and community development programs that are mainly offered by non-governmental agencies. "Shako" will present different child welfare agencies who are diligently working for children's right and protection, and providing services to this disadvantaged population. Apart from limited government social welfare agencies' involvement, extended family members mostly take care of children when they are vulnerable or need care. There is no foster care services present in the country. Children are protected by families from abuse where family values are still strong and dominant. Usually, family members come forward to care for their loved ones irrespective of their socio-economic status. Therefore, we need to look at socio-economic structures, institutions and values that ensure and promote children's well-being and safety in the Bangladesh setting.

• ACSR
• ATSEC
• Bangladesh Council for Child Welfare
• Children Trust
• Families for Children
• Odhikar
• Save the Children UK
• SOS Children's Village

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