In this competitive era, everything in the world is getting complicated day by day. Drastic changes in climate, unhealthy lifestyle, offensive competitions, daily life hassle, stress etc. are making peoples’ lives tougher.
All these things have significant impact on our minds and gradually it turns into a serious issue which can be beyond imagination.
Domestic abuse involving children can be in various forms like physical, emotional, sexual or sometimes neglect within the family or by surrounding. Children of all ages are the victim of this alarming situation and if we go through some reports of child abuse we can visualize the actual scenario. While rescued by social mobilizers, it has been eyed that most of the children are tormented by family members which is really heartbreaking. Lack of care, affection, attention, low economic status, insecurity, conflicts between parents, academic pressure and so on are the reasons of sufferings of these kids. Some are beaten by grandparents and teachers, some forced for early marriage, verbally abused and neglected by parents, emotionally unstable etc. situations encountered by the rescued children. Anxiety becomes their constant companion, stealing away their childhood joy and replacing it with a haunting uncertainty.
According to a report, Dhaka division is on top where the most domestic violence cases have been experienced which clearly portrays that the highly competitive mindset of people nowadays, making lives more hectic. As a result, domestic violence on children has soar up which affects them both mentally and physically and sometimes they even run away from home to escape from this intolerable torture. For them, home is not a sanctuary but a battleground, where love is overshadowed by fear, and safety is a fleeting illusion. The very people who are meant to protect them become their greatest sources of terror. When children feel threatened in their own place, they become so fragile which lead to clinical mental disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Anxiety, Depression and in worst case suicidal too. And yet, their suffering often goes unnoticed. Behind closed doors, they bear their burdens in silence, afraid to speak out for fear of making things worse. They learn to hide their bruises, physical and emotional, behind masks of false smiles and quiet tears. Often parents subconsciously burdens their child with their emotional baggage and frustration and put so much pressure on them that they become mentally unstable.
The kids who run away from home often get into high risk of human trafficking, organ trafficking, molestation and become the victim of political aggression, drug dealers and so on. Many organizations are working relentlessly to save these innocent souls and ensuring their rights, prioritizing their emotions to create a world free from fatigue and APON Foundation is playing a significant role here for 8 years. We established a transitional shelter for these children and took initiatives to heal the young minds and provide necessary counselling to the family members in order to minimize this critical conditions.
The total number of rescued children by APON foundation is around 1369 till to date. We rescued children from almost every districts, among them it has been seen that Gazipur, Mymensingh, Kishoregonj, Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria are the areas where these incidents are acute. When we dig down the matters, we came across that these rescued children were suffering from lack of family bonding, racism, severe poverty, imposing things against their will and so on. Witnessing violence at home can harm children’s cognitive development and academic performance. They may struggle with concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, leading to academic underachievement. Children from violent homes may have difficulty forming healthy relationships with peers and adults. They may exhibit poor social skills, mistrust of others, and isolation due to shame or fear of judgment. In some cases, children may sustain physical injuries during incidents of domestic violence. Chronic stress from living in a violent environment can also compromise their immune systems and overall physical health.
APON Foundation consciously follow the Child Protection Policy and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) to assure the ultimate safety to these children. The escalating prevalence of domestic child abuse represents a pressing societal issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities which is why more preventive measures should be taken both by government and at home. Effective legal protections, such as restraining orders and safe shelters, are essential for ensuring the safety of children and their non-abusive caregivers. Social services can offer practical support and resources to families affected by domestic violence. Positive relationships with caring adults, such as teachers, mentors, or extended family members, can provide stability and emotional support for children in tumultuous home environments. Access to trauma-informed therapy and counseling can help children process their experiences, develop coping mechanisms, and heal from emotional wounds caused by domestic violence.
By addressing the root causes of abuse, implementing preventive measures, and prioritizing the well-being of children, we can work towards creating a safer and more nurturing environment for future generations. By being empathetic, we should ensure that every child grows up in a home free from fear, violence, and harm.
