Gender Talk 3: Steel shield for sexually abused children

April 26, 2019

On April 11, 2019, Gender Talk #3 – an academic activity on Gender and Gender Equality of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hoa Sen University attracted a large participation of students from universities, television and journalists, educators, psychologists, social experts, NGOs and individuals interested in gender equality and sex education.

Gender Talk #3 focuses on sharing the following two topics:

• Topic 1: “Steel shield for sexually abused children” presented by Lawyer Tran Thi Ngoc Nu – Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association, Head of Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association for the Protection of Children’s Rights (BVQTETTPHCM).
• Topic 2: “Intervention of sexual abuse from a psychological perspective” by Dr. Le Minh Thuan – Lecturer of Psychology, Hoa Sen University presented.

Left: Dr. Le Minh Thuan, Lawyer Tran Thi Ngoc Nu, Ms. Doan Thi Ngoc – Teacher of Faculty of Social Sciences, Hoa Sen University.

Opening Gender Talk #3, LS. Tran Thi Ngoc Nu shared the pain of the situation of child sexual abuse across the country. Referring immediately to the story that caused waves throughout the country, in the Galaxy Apartment, District 4, “A little girl went into the elevator and was alone in the elevator at the same time with a strange man and was suddenly stabbed.” He forced a hug and kiss.” In this case, the City Children’s Rights Protection Association received 74 applications nationwide. Everyone urgently asks the Association to closely monitor and speak up on this case on behalf of the people. Lawyer Ngoc Nu affirmed that looking at this clip, everyone could see that it was not simply hugging the baby as he said. We all saw clearly, that the child was so scared that he got out of the way and ran away when he could. We find that this act has enough elements to prosecute and have proposed prosecution.

In addition, Ms. Ngoc Nu shared that she has directly received and intervened in many cases. For example, the story of a 15-year-old girl with the dream of becoming a police officer, but was sexually abused and became pregnant when she was 15 years old. This child received intervention and support from the Ho Chi Minh City National Hospital Association to help him overcome. I gave birth and then returned to continue studying. Another story is that a biological father raped his 9-year-old and 7-year-old children. This man did not even acknowledge the pregnancy and said he did not love “them” at all. Ms. Ngoc Nu emphasized that all children are at risk of sexual abuse, whether boys or girls, but the rate of girls is often higher than boys and the mental pain consequences are very severe and persistent. lifelong for children.

Ms. Ngoc Nu also said that to convict of lewdness, evidence is needed, but it is often not easy and faces many difficulties and obstacles. In reality, the offender is stubborn, denies guilt, erases traces, and the victim’s family is confused, miserable, shocked, afraid, and often silent to avoid deeper psychological trauma. When children are abused, parents do not take them for examination immediately but wait for a few days. At this time, there are no marks on their bodies, there are no witnesses, it will be difficult to prosecute, or drag out the perpetrator. sin comes to light. This creates an invisible loophole in the law and criminals often take advantage of this mentality to deny guilt and get away with it. Therefore, effectively protecting children against sexual abuse is extremely complicated.

Lawyer Tran Thi Ngoc Nu emphasized to the audience that they should remember the following brief information to help protect children, including:

Regarding children’s rights, children have rights such as the right to survive; the right to be protected; the right to development; and the right to participate. These are fundamental rights; Therefore, children have the right to be protected from sexual abuse. This is the responsibility of each individual, family, school, and the whole society.

The golden principles of child sexual abuse prevention include three steps: prevention, intervention, and support. Prevention is better than cure. So every child needs to clearly understand “your body is yours. No one is allowed to violate, including strangers, relatives, and acquaintances.” When children are taught to clearly understand their rights, they will be aware of protecting themselves from others who intend to hurt or abuse them.

Facing the current situation of evil happening every day and every hour and becoming more and more complicated, lawyer Ngoc Nu informed that the Children’s Protection Association recently proposed to the Prime Minister to agree to implement a new measure of castration. chemicals to create deterrence. In 2019, our State also had the Year of Safety for Women and Girls program.

Finally, Ms. Ngoc Nu reminded us that when receiving cases of sexual abuse, all parties, especially families, social workers, and authorities, need to firmly grasp the principle of “Listen to children with your heart.” heart, protect children with action” anytime, anywhere.

Switching to the topic “Sexual Abuse Intervention from a Psychological Perspective”, Dr. Le Minh Thuan also presented four brief points including:

1. Family involvement

2. We need to change our behavioral culture

3. Families and schools need to emphasize the importance of sex education

4. There needs to be intervention at all levels, especially the active participation of social workers.

The event attracts a large number of students from universities, television and newspapers, educators, psychologists, social experts, NGOs, and individuals interested in gender equality and education. sex.

Feelings from HSU students & audiences about Gender Talk #3

#1: Nguyen Thuan Anh – Psychology student – Hoa Sen University: “Gender Talk brings a lot of knowledge that is “liberal” and useful for both life and study. I hope the program is held more often. I am a mother of two young children and am also studying Gender and Development, so Gender Talk 3 with the topic of sexually abused children is very meaningful to me. Through the discussion, I clearly understood children’s rights and the golden principles of preventing child sexual abuse. Prevention is better than prevention, so every adult must improve their knowledge to prevent child abuse before the incident occurs because then things will be more complicated to resolve. If the incident has happened, mental support and treatment for the child and family needs to be done seriously with love and understanding.

#2: Luong Minh Kim Phung – Open University student, “Every time I attend a Gender Talk seminar, every time my perception changes quite deeply and I have a more multi-dimensional view, no longer limited. like before”.

#3: Le Nhat Thao – Psychology major – Hoa Sen University, “I like the topics Gender Talk brings up and discusses with everyone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in Gender Talk #1 and #2 because of scheduling conflicts. The third topic this time is a topic that not only me but also my family is very interested in because our family has many children and grandchildren. And I also hope that the Gender Talk program can take place another session so that there may be those who want to participate and will not be stuck for time.”

#4: Huynh Thi My Trang, a student at Open University: “What impressed me most about the conference was the professionalism of the Gender Talk Organizing Committee. I learned 3 golden rules, many stories, and the severe consequences of sexually abused children. It’s choking to hear, but it’s so painful. After attending the conference, I learned more about Gender Talk and looked back at the STEM field I am working in. It’s clear that not far away, right in the field I’m working in, gender and gender inequality are clearly shown. That’s why I was inspired to do something for women in the STEM or engineering fields. I think, “It’s belief, not ability, that makes girls think STEM or STEM Robotics is not for them”. Hopefully, I will soon be able to fulfill this wish for the community in Ho Chi Minh City. I hope to receive an invitation to participate in the next sessions of Gender Talk.”

#5: Le Nguyen Khanh Thu, a student majoring in Human Resource Management at Hoa Sen University: “After participating in Gender Talk #3 on April 11, I have learned experience in demanding children’s rights. been sexually abused. Ms. Ngoc Nu told stories that made me extremely angry and sad, especially a 13-year-old deaf-mute girl who was abused by a neighbor, leading to pregnancy and giving birth at the age of 13. Ms. Ngoc Nu also implicitly said, “Silence is a crime”. Parents and schools need to care about protecting their children, boldly denounce them, and educate children about their rights and the three golden principles. “No one is allowed to violate children’s bodies” and strangers must stand 1 meter away from children. When encountering a stranger with abusive behavior, children should shout for help from adults.” Teacher Le Minh Thuan helped me have a clearer and deeper view of intervening in sexual abuse. The consequences are persistent pain and difficulty developing normally, obsessive disorders, and worse, suicide. Finally, children and parents need to share their thoughts when there are problems. Schools need to have sex education programs so that children can clearly understand and know how to protect themselves.”

#6: Nguyen Thi Thuy Tien, currently a 3rd year student at Hoa Sen University: “Gender Talk left a lot of impression on me because I heard the story of “child sexual abuse”. I understand rights, the four golden rules, and how to protect children. I would like to sincerely thank the Organizing Committee for helping me and everyone have a correct, broad, and deep perspective on child sexual abuse. I hope there will be more Gender Talk so everyone can have more understanding. I also see that in society there have been and are still people silently fighting for truth and fairness, no matter how difficult or difficult it is, it cannot make them back down. Because they work with all their heart, love, and enthusiasm. Once again, I sincerely thank Gender Talk #3″.

#7: Nguyen Dinh Thien Hao – student at Hoa Sen University: “Through Gender Talk, I have accumulated valuable knowledge and skills such as children’s rights: To survive; Protect; Develop; and Get involved. I also clearly understand the golden principles: Prevention, intervention, and support. Every child needs to clearly understand “your body is yours. No one is allowed to violate, including strangers, relatives, and acquaintances.” When children clearly understand their rights, they will be aware of protecting themselves from others. The prevention of abuse against children belongs to everyone, every home, and the entire community. Finally, “Listen to children with your heart. Protect children through action” – as a student and an intellectual in the future, I think I also have a responsibility to protect the children in my family as well as the children in the community. for an increasingly healthier, more developed, and more civilized living environment.”

Author: Doan Thi Ngoc – Teacher of Faculty of Social Sciences, Hoa Sen University