European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation
What day is it?
Every child is so pure and innocent. The task of adults is to protect and educate children, to ensure their happy future. Unfortunately, there are people in the world who have one or another disorder and do not realize how much their actions negatively affect the integrity of the child’s personality. It should be known that not only the rape itself is punished, but also the attempt to commit it. The European community tries every year to provide as much protection and prevent harm to children as possible. Every year, the European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation is celebrated on November 18.
How did the idea to celebrate the European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation come about?
Violence and sexual exploitation of children is a terrible reality today. The worst thing is that in most cases the adult who commits violence is a close person for the child.
Only 10% of crimes are reported to the police and guardianship authorities. The injured child keeps silent about the crime, because sometimes she thinks that it is a manifestation of love for her. Among the dangerous consequences of sexual violence are, without a doubt, severe psychological trauma, the transmission of life-threatening infections, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages, and stillbirths.
In 2015, the European Council decided to establish a special day in order to prevent such crimes and carry out measures to inform society. Yes, every year on November 18, events are held in Europe for children and adults, where they are told about unpleasant situations and how to deal with them.
Statistics
According to the calculations of the Council of Europe:
80% of cases of sexual violence are committed by acquaintances of the child, of which 40% are very close relatives.
Children of offended mothers are 6 times more likely to commit suicide, and 50% more likely to abuse drugs.
Almost 100% of mothers who were subjected to violence gave birth to sick children – mostly with neuroses, stuttering, enuresis, cerebral palsy, mental disorders.
Frequent Questions and answers on the European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation
How do children who have experienced sexual trauma behave?
First of all, the child begins to look for ways to somehow explain the case to himself. Some say that their soul leaves the body, others think that it was a terrible dream and everything was just a dream. Those who cannot express in words understand that something bad has happened and show it in their aggressive behavior.
What are the symptoms observed in children after sexual abuse?
Behavioral reactions of children also depend on the age of the victim. Yes, younger schoolchildren often begin to have a fear of sleeping alone, they are afraid of the dark and all male persons. In some, one of the symptoms may be a sudden interest in sex. On the other hand, the concentration of attention and success in school decrease in children of secondary school age. Pain in the stomach and throat, headaches can also indicate an injury. Teenagers who did not manage to talk about violence begin to abuse bad habits. Among girls, this is often the reason for running away from home. Some of them become prostitutes at a very early age.
What are the physical signs of offended children?
Bruises and swelling in the genital area may be observed in such children. Bleeding, wounds and codelomas should be a reason for urgent consultation with a doctor.
Does the rapist have any characteristics?
Rapists are usually men who lead a lonely lifestyle, most often they themselves were raped in childhood. In most cases, such men are psychologically immature and feel inferior. For them, establishing contacts and working in a team is a difficult task. After committing a crime, they usually do not feel guilty and prove their innocence. Rapists often say that it was the child who seduced him.
Why is this event important?
Child abuse and sexual exploitation is always intentional. Many children in the world do not know how to tell someone what happened to them. In turn, adults do not always know how to help such children.
The event is designed to raise awareness of what adults can do to save abused children. On this day, a number of events aimed at disseminating information about violence against children are held.
Sexual exploitation can lead to incredibly serious consequences. After such events, children can remain silent for years, and then commit suicide, and mothers can only guess about the causes of the tragedy.
Thanks to the European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation, the problem is raised every year and society learns about the best ways to help and prevent such crimes.
Adults should learn to listen to their children, help solve problems, even when it seems that the problem is not significant, be able to build trusting relationships.
When will we celebrate European Day for the Protection of Children from Violence and Sexual Exploitation?
