Early detection of child maltreatment and early intervention can help minimise the likelihood of further violence and the long-term health and social consequences. Children who have been maltreated need and deserve a comprehensive medical response including medical examination, forensic interviews, psychosocial assessments, mental health services and court testimony.
These views were expressed by Sarah Asad, Executive Director NGO Pahchaan, striving for protection of children's rights while talking to Business Recorder, here on Saturday.
Sarah Asad maintained that comprehensive care for an abused child stretches beyond medical care for which most hospitals in Pakistan are inadequately funded. The need is to make substantial investment and funding on the part of government to sustain and keep the child protection programme vibrant in future.
To a query, she stated that there has been an upsurge into early brain development including the effects of maltreatment on the developing brain during infancy and early childhood. The effects of experiences during infancy and early childhood on brain development create the basis for the expression of intelligence, emotions and personality, she added.
Answering another question, Sarah Asad stated that children who have experienced chronic abuse or neglect during their first few years may live in persistent state of chronic hyperactive arousal or dissociation, anticipating a threat from every direction.
To another query, Sarah Asad averred that in Pakistan, there is no mandated system of reporting child abuse and neglect. Although, child abuse and neglect (CAN) exists in several overt and covert ways, but there is no reliable data. Like other major public health and social problems, it is not easy to document the actual incidence or prevalence of child abuse, she added.
Sarah Asad was of the view that the majority of street children are run-away who landed into cities due to abusive home environment and dull schooling. Most cases of child abuse remain under cover and go unreported, she added.
She further said that her NGO (Pahchaan) is holding an awareness seminar on "promoting the role of parents in protecting their children" on Tuesday, April 17 at 3.30 pm at a local hotel. Among others, Dr Naeem Zafar, Professor Dr Sajad Maqbool and Saira Mansab will address the seminar.
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