What You Need to Know
A panel discussion on safeguarding child victims of sexual abuse was held in Quatre-Bornes, organized by the Office of Ombudsperson for Children. Ombudsperson Mrs. Aneeta Ghoorah emphasized the need for a collective effort to protect children and ensure they grow in a safe environment. She highlighted the importance of a strong chain of protection and better coordination among institutions to aid,
Africa-Press – Mauritius. A panel discussion focusing on the theme ‘Safeguarding the Rights of Child Victims of Sexual Abuse: Strengthening the Chain of Protection’, organised by the Office of Ombudsperson for Children, opened this morning in Quatre-Bornes.
In her address, the Ombudsperson for Children, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah, recalled that every child has to grow in dignity, within a safe environment free from violence and exploitation. According to her, sexual abuse of children constitutes one of the most serious violations of a child’s rights and dignity, which she emphasised, leaves deep and lasting wounds affecting his physical and emotional well-being, development, sense of security, and trust in the society.
She underpinned the key role of institutions intervening in such cases and their responsibility in protecting and supporting the victims. “We should all have a collective engagement and passion to protect children who are victims of abuse and surround them with a supportive environment whereby they feel safe to talk and ask for help”, she stated.
Moreover, Mrs Aneeta Ghoorah highlighted the need for a strong chain of protection for these victims so that they benefit from help assistance throughout the whole process to justice.
To strengthen the chain of protection, she pointed out, enhancing coordination, communication and trust among institutions are crucial. Clearer procedures, adapted approaches to children, adequate professional training and services and support mechanisms that enable prompt and effective responses are equally important, she added.
She thus qualified the panel discussion as an opportune meeting for the concerned institutions to share their knowledge, experience, expertise, identity challenges and chart the way forward for a more coordinated and collective approach.
The issue of child sexual abuse has gained significant attention globally, prompting various initiatives aimed at protecting children’s rights. In Mauritius, the Office of Ombudsperson for Children plays a crucial role in advocating for the welfare of children, particularly those who are victims of abuse. The recent panel discussion reflects ongoing efforts to address these challenges and improve the support systems available for affected children. By fostering collaboration among institutions, the aim is to create a more effective response to such violations and ensure that children’s rights are upheld.
