Covid-19: Support child abuse survivors during lockdown
Clinical director of the Teddy Bear Foundation Dr Omar said, “Gender-based violence seems to be quite prevalent with many children also being victimised during this situation.”
The Teddy Bear Foundation appeals to community members to support them as they continue to care for abused children during lockdown.
The foundation provides holistic, integrated services to children who have been abused and their families. These free services include medical exams, forensic assessment, therapy and court preparation, to name a few.
Clinical director of the foundation Dr Shaheda Omar said they have attended to a number of incidents of sexual abuse, physical abuse, children witnessing domestic violence, children witnessing attempted murder of their mothers and child suicide under lockdown.
Dr Omar said, “Gender-based violence seems to be quite prevalent with many children also being victimised during this situation.”
She encouraged all members of the public to report cases of child abuse in their communities.
“Should people hear any noise or sounds that may sound worrying, please rather report to the law enforcement officials to follow up. Child protection is everyone’s business.”
“Community members need to be diligent about reporting, whether it is a suspicion, an inkling or a hunch.”
Omar also encouraged caregivers to help their children cope with changes resulting from Covid-19.
“Families across the country are adapting to the evolving changes in daily life… Schools, places of public gathering and non-essential businesses are closed and parents and other caregivers are faced with helping their families adjust to the new normal. This includes trying to keep children occupied, feeling safe and attempting to keep up with schoolwork as best as possible.”
“None of this is easy,” she explained. “But it helps to stay focused on what is possible in order to reinforce a sense of control and to reassure children that they are okay and that the situation will get better.”
Omar said that caregivers must remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for adults to model for children problem-solving, flexibility and compassion as we work through adjusting daily schedules, balancing work and other activities, getting creative about how we spend time, processing new information from authorities and connecting and supporting friends and family members in a new way.”
Omar encouraged the public to support the foundation through assistance with funding, volunteering or donations (of food, toys and books) and digital fundraising.
Visit www.ttbc.org.za for their full wish list.
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