The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in the Atwima Kwanwoma District saw the need embark on child abuse sensitization due to reported cases of child abuse. In view of this, the social welfare officers embarked on a one day sensitization program on Child Abuse at the Sabin Akrofrom Chief Palace on Friday 26th May, 2023.A total number of seventy- five (75) community members attended the sensitization programed of which 33 were males and 42 were females. The main purposes of the sensitization programme; was to know the causes, effects and solution to child abuse. The District Social Welfare and Community Development Director took the opportunity to sensitize the community member on the meaning of child abuse, the causes and its effects on the child. Child abuse or child maltreatment was explained as Physical, Sexual, and or Psychological Maltreatment or neglect of a Child or Children, especially by a parent or a care giver. Consequently, the Social Welfare and Community Development Director asked the community members about the main causes of the child abuse of which the community members mentioned; friends, partners or community support to help with the demands of parenting.
- Poverty / lack of support and isolation – no family member’s friends, partners or community support to help with the demands of parenting.
- Lack of parenting skills – parents may not know how to care for their child or may believe it is acceptable to use excessive physical force to discipline or punish a child.
- Drugs, Alcohol or gambling problems – addiction or substance abuse may affect a parent’s ability to meet their child’s needs.
- Past childhood experience – parents may have experienced abuse as a child in their own families, which could have caused them to development an insecure attachment style.
- Intellectual disability or mental illness – parents may be unable to adequately care for their child.
- Stress – this is also another cause of child abuse in our communities
Madam Hannah Yeboah sensitized the community members on the effects of child abuse which include;
- Low self esteem
- Increased fear, guilt and self-blame
- Distrust of adults or difficulty forming relationships with others.
- Self – harming or suicidal thoughts.
- Learning disorders, including poor language and cognitive development.
- Drugs and alcohol abuse and high sexual behavior.
- Violent, aggressive or criminal behavior or other behavioral problem.
- Permanent physical injuries or death.
- Development delay, eating disorders and physical ailments.
Below are some pictures
CONCLUSION Madam Hannah Yeboah (Unit Head for Social Welfare) then told the community members to put a stop to child abuse and also spread knowledge about child abuse in their homes and community to prevent the wide spread of child abuse.Also, culprits of child abuse should be reported to the appropriate agencies in order to punish them to serve as deterrent to others. SOURCE:MADAM HANNAH YEBOAH