Attention for children and the elderly in Corona time
25-05-2020 -By Ellen Kersboom (also on behalf of Els Schoorl as LHV ambassadors child abuse) and Liselotte Avé, attention officer SHR and member of the working group on child abuse and domestic violence DDDB and SHR
As an LHV ambassador for child abuse, I feel the need to to draw your special attention to the most vulnerable at this difficult time. Among us: children (and the elderly). They depend on the care of their parents, guardians and will not ask for help themselves.
The fear of getting sick yourself, infecting others and/or get sick of their (grand)parents will be recognized by everyone and can take on great forms in a child’s brain, partly under the influence of the constant stream of (frightening) news items. Children often don’t want to burden parents with their worries. They can now Do not share with friends, the teacher, a neighbor or confidential counsellor. The stress increases even further, if your parents worry a lot (e.g. redundancy, financial and/or relationship problems) or are struggling with a chronic illness, mental illness or addiction. Insecurity is still on the rise where there is regular intimate partner violence, child abuse and child abuse. sexual violence. As a child/victim, you are now like a rat in a trap: you may And you can’t leave, you live in the same house with the perpetrator. Witnessing Violence is just as harmful as being a victim of it!
As a general practitioner, nurse, triagist, doctor’s assistant or Now more than ever, you can make a difference by:
- To be alert to signs of an unsafe home situation (including the phone) and listen to your non-fluff feeling: HOW can I tell someone help? You can make a difference!
- The Kindcheck as much as possible in contact with adults (including pregnant women), who are ill or in case of suspicion of alcohol/drug use. Compassion is the key word, Because how difficult it is to be sick, to have children at home, to can’t easily accommodate them with family now. Children, who are bored, being difficult, being stressed yourself while you feel sick! Hesitation suspicion of insecurity, cq. child abuse does not follow the steps of the Reporting code. You can find both elsewhere in the newsletter. Violence will NEVER stop on its own! YOU can play a big role here.
- Try to pay attention if possible to children present in the home situation, ask about their concerns and give them the opportunity to possible and in consultation with the parent(s) explanation of the medical situation. Take their questions seriously.
Finally, a lot of strength in these exciting, uncertain times and think to the little ones!
You can find the full protocol for the Reporting Code for Child Abuse and Domestic Violence and a report form to Safe Home via the following link; https://temporary.mindd.dev/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Protocol-Meldcode-met-afwegingskader-Kindermishandeling-en-Huiselijk-geweld.pdf .
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