NGO’s edutoy exposes child abuse in Africa
AN interactive EduToy developed by Operation Bobbi Bear (OBB) to educate children about HIV/Aids, abuse and post-exposure prophylaxis and successfully used to conduct field research in conjunction with NGOs in Malawi and Zambia three years ago, will see a team return to Malawi on 16 March to provide further training to NGO, Life Concern Organisation (LICO).
The field research was conducted by Bobbi Bear volunteer, Gigi Postma, an organisational psychologist who lives in the Netherlands and has assisted at the organisation every year since 2008.
The EduToy is a child-friendly means to teach children about HIV/Aids, detect cases of child abuse and to empower children to report abuse.
“The EduToy was only used by Bobbi Bear in KZN, mostly in primary and secondary schools. The aim of the 2011 field research was to gather information on the need, applicability and effectiveness of the EduToy outside the organisation. We did a trial run with LICO in Bolero and spoke to 50 primary school children. As a result, 12 cased related to child sexual abuse and subsequent HIV-infection were detected,” said Gigi.
At a later date, more cases were reported to LICO from the same school and area. As a result, LICO initiated activities to combat child sexual abuse and subsequent HIV-infection.
After the field research, Bobbi Bear and LICO stayed in contact and the NGO’s director, Peter Gondwe received further training on a visit to Toti in March, 2013.
According to Gigi an agreement was reached for a pilot EduToy project to be conducted by LICO in the Rumphi area, which commenced in April 2013.
The pilot project saw 10 EduToy presentations being conducted at five primary schools, two at youth clubs, two in the community and one with LICO volunteers and staff. The presentation reached 1,225 individuals between the ages of four and 20 years and older.
After the presentations, some 23 cases came to light, which related to HIV/Aids, emotional or psychological abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse. Other public service providers which assisted LICO were police, social welfare, hospitals and clinics, courts, community police and the education department.
Of the 23 cases, five are in court and one has resulted in a successful conviction. The conviction was attained after a four-year-old girl was raped by her father who fled after the incident. Members of a youth club which had benefitted from an EduToy presentation traced the father and handed him over to police. He was jailed for 12 years.
Subsequently LICO has taken the lead in organising stakeholder meetings with other service providers and other local, active NGOs. During the meetings LICO shared challenges faced, lessons learnt and requested input on how best to implement the project. Stakeholders expressed interest in linking cases of child sexual abuse from the project area to LICO. Discussions also focused on opening an one-stop centre where child sexual abuse cases can be referred, as the district does not have such a facility. The opening of a child counselling room at the Rumphi district hospital was also discussed.
Gigi along with Hans Huisman, who is assisting her on the EduToy project, and two Bobbi Bear staff members will spend several weeks in Malawi, from 16 March. “We will provide more training focusing on how to deal with victims, family, police, social services and the police. We will also provide training using the Bobbi bear,” said Gigi.
