Children at risk

It's been a while since the last time I blogged, and a lot of things have happened at Hald. There has been many interesting classes, the one I liked the most was the "Children at risk" class. In that class we learned about how we should act when we meet children that have experienced sexual assault and violence, and how we can get a good relationship with the children without making them dependent on us; since we are leaving after 7 months. I don't know if I will work with children that much, but it's a good thing to bring with us in our life, also after we get home. Children are at risk all over the world, not only in developing countries as many thinks.. Maybe you think that you don't know any child that are experiencing either sexual assault or violence, but look at this quote from Gro Brækken - Generalsecretery of Redd Barna (Save the children) from 2006:

"Vold mot barn i familien er et omfattende samfunnsproblem også i Norge. Barn blir slått, sparket og brent. Mange blir utsatt for grove, gjentatte seksuelle overgrep. Regjeringen tror at opp mot 200.000 norske barn utsettes for vold årlig."

Translated:
"Violence against children in their families is a comprehensive social problem, also in Norway. Children are hit, kicked and burned. Many are exposed to repeated sexual abuse. The government believes that up to 200.000 Norwegian children are exposed to violence each year."

200.000 children, that means one out of ten Norwegian children have experienced violence in their homes. Probably you know ten children or more. Imagine that one of them is experiencing violence in their home, how do you know? How can you find out if a child you know is experiencing sexual abuse? That was one of the questions the lecturer asked us.. We learned a lot of signs we could look for and things that are often linked to violence in homes. I think it's really important that all students in Norway have the possibility to learn this, and not only people that attend private schools and specific subjects. Everyone should know about these things so that it is easier to prevent it to getting any further!

Sources:
- http://www.bt.no/nyheter/innenriks/faktasjekk/Et-av-fem-barn-kjenner-seg-utrygge-hjemme-p-grunn-av-rus-vold-og-psykiske-lidelser-1930654.html

- http://www.voldsoffer.no/upload/images/13/Diverse%20Tom-filer/200603280833281_Vold%20mot%20barn%20i%20Norge-kortversjonen.pdf

- Mary Ann