Seek advice after child-abduction
What do you do after an attempted child-abduction? Experts give advise.
Corlia Kruger
After the recent spate of attempted child-abductions in Pretoria, experts gave advice on what to do after an abduction or even failed abduction.
The Mon Ami (which is French for ‘my friend’) trauma troops spoke to Rekord recently, saying it was important for a family to seek help from trauma counsellors after their children go missing.
“Even if the child was almost abducted it is important to contact their nearest police station,” says chairperson, Joaney Prinsloo.
Mon Ami is a community based non-profit organisation which provides emotional support to people who have experienced trauma in the Pretoria and Centurion areas.
“After an abduction or attempted abduction, we send out counsellor to help and support the families and victims,” says Prinsloo.
She says Mon Ami would aid police in cases where families might be too traumatised to speak for themselves at the time.
“We assist police in getting the right information from the victims and if they require more counselling, we provide a list of psychologists and trauma counsellors in their area.”
Prinsloo lists the three most important steps to take after a child goes missing or is abducted:
– Call your nearest police station
– Provide police with the description of your child (what he/she was wearing, etc.), a photograph of your child would be most useful.
– Get trauma counselling.
Debriefing after attempted abductions is also vital for parents and the children.
Child psychologist, professor Marlize Snyman, says it is important to debrief within the first 27 hours of the incident.
“It is of utmost importance for the child… even though it may seem, to the parents, the child is unaffected, it may come back to them later on in life,” Snyman explains.
“It could be something small that, later on in a child’s life, might trigger this memory of the trauma they experienced.”
Parents are advised to also seek help and receive counselling.
To seek assistance from Mon Ami, dial their 24-hour helpline: 073 653 4497 or visit www.monamitrauma.co.za.
Also read:
Rekord’s #keepPTAkidssafe kicks off
More attempted child kidnappings
Three-year-old almost snatched from mother’s arms
How to keep your children safe
Eight-week-old baby almost taken from mother
Bull Security advises parents about abduction
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