By Dang Thi Phuong Loan | Project Contributor
According to statistics of the Ministry of Public Security, in 2020, Vietnam detected 1,945 cases of child abuse, with 2,008 survivors (Of which there are 1,349 cases of sexual abuse, 1,576 children were sexually abused). About 97% of cases were discovered that the sexual offenders have known the victims. More worryingly, when child sexual abuse has crept in and appeared in educational institutions - an environment that is considered safe and healthy for children to practice and perfect their personality, the abusers are the ones who have the right to educate them.
In order to actualize the sustainable development goals that the Vietnam Government has committed to the United Nations, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) has implemented many practical activities for the community with special attention to children. In 2020, VSF launched the project “Scarlet Sails” to help sexually abused children in Viet Nam.
Chi (her name was changed) is a 12-year-old girl who has been sexually assaulted by the security guard at her school for a long time. VSF and Hagar International have accompanied and protected Chi from January 2021 within the framework of the project "Scarlet Sails".
In the past 6 months since January 2021, in addition to the monthly living allowance (VND1 million/month), Chi has received comprehensive support in psychology, legal basis, social policy, health care, education and skills. Thereby, she has completed the 2020 - 2021 school year, and has always been supported and encouraged by her family throughout her study. Her form teacher says that Chi is more confident than she was at the beginning of the school year. Her relationships between friends and relatives have been improved. She has gradually become more open and integrated into the community. Moreover, Chi also have gotten necessary skills in sexual abuse prevention, social networking safety and reproductive health care.
Chi’s family has been provided with information on the legal process and has received legal support if necessary. Her grandmother is able to positively connect with the lawyer and her family is satisfied with the Court's verdict. Thanks to the psychological preparation in advance, Chi and her grandmother were not traumatic when attending the trial. Then, Chi's grandmother also received psychosocial support to overcome the gossip of the community related to the results of the case handling, and she has communicated with her granddaughter in more positive ways.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to VSF for practical support over the past time. Hopefully in the future, with the companionship of VSF and Hagar, Chi will be stronger and study with peace of mind." - Chi's grandmother shared.
In May 2021, VSF and Women’s Union of Hai Phong City preliminarily agreed on a cooperation method and activities’ content of the project "Scarlet Sails". Accordingly, the project would: Organize training courses / seminars on sexual abuse prevention skills; Make a communication short film for children about sexual abuse prevention skills; Support monthly tuition fees for 3 children with extremely difficult circumstances in Kenh Duong ward for 36 consecutive months (support budget is VND 1,000,000/child/month). Kenh Duong ward is an area notorious for social evils, drugs and HIV/AIDS.
The upcoming activities of the project "Scarlet Sails" in Kenh Duong ward (Hai Phong city) will be expectedly deployed in September 2021 and continuously updated by VSF through:
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