Protecting
the children
What can we do? |
Mark 9:37 - "Whoever welcomes one of these little children
in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome
me but the one who sent me."
Children are powerless to protect themselves, so if you suspect
a child or a young person is at risk of harm it is important
that you take action to keep them safe.
It is the role of the community to protect children.
One of the major roles of a responsible individual or organization
is to work with the community to support families to protect
and care for their children and young people.
Being a parent can be very rewarding but also quite challenging
at times. This is especially true for families under a lot
of stress. Families may experience stress for many different
reasons, such as not having enough support, relationship
problems, being a single parent, unemployment, illness,
loneliness or isolation. Recent migrant families may experience
even more stress.
While the majority of children grow up in a caring and
nurturing environment, there are times when a child or young
person may be at risk of harm. When
is a child or young person at risk of harm?
| They are at risk of
harm when: |
• Their basic needs for things like
enough food, shelter, and clothing are not being
met.
• Their psychological needs are not being
met. For example, they may not be getting affection
or stimulation.
• They are not getting the medical care
they need.
• They have been physically, emotionally
or sexually abused or ill treated.
• There is domestic violence within the
home placing them at risk of physical injury
or psychological damage.
• Their parents or carers treat them in
a way that could lead to physical or psychological
damage.
• They are homeless and cannot get food,
shelter or somewhere safe to stay.
Risk of harm refers to situations where these
things are actually occurring to children or
young people or where there is a high possibility
of them happening. |
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If you think someone has been or is at risk of being physically,
sexually or emotionally harmed or neglected contact Bantay
Bata hotline at 163.
By contacting Bantay Bata you can help stop the abuse and
protect the child from further harm. You can call Bantay
Bata 163 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the
cost of a local call.
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