Today, on World Child Protection Professionals Day, we’re celebrating child protection professionals like Ms. T*, a counsellor who protects the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children in Vietnam.
Last year, after an argument online with a friend, a video of A.*, a young student from southern Vietnam, being beaten was posted on Facebook. A. suffered injuries and had to be taken to the provincial hospital.
After the incident, A. showed signs of confusion and anxiety, and did not want to go to school. After being notified, the National Child Helpline 111appointed Ms. T and her Critical Rapid Response Team (CRRT) to provide emergency psychological first aid to the child.
A challenging profession
Ms. T has been a National Child Helpline 111 counsellor since 2018 and is an active contributor to the CRRT team – a branch of the helpline dedicated to directly assisting severe and special child protection cases. At the Helpline 111, 32 counsellors work in three shifts, 24 hours a day, tirelessly handling a continuous stream of calls day and night (the helpline receives over 500,000 calls a year). Ms. T and her colleagues play a crucial role in providing advice on various issues related to children, such as child abuse and violence, child-related policy and law, children’s relationships with friends, family, and at school, as well as concerns related to children’s psychological health.
Yet, until a few years ago, Ms. T had encountered various obstacles and challenges in her role. She said that a lack of communication and consultation skills and knowledge meant that she wasn’t always able to identify cases of abuse correctly and, therefore, unable to provide the appropriate support to victims.
“There was one case where a child shared that they felt ashamed following an incident of abuse, and they expressed a reluctance to attend school,” recalled Ms. T, who explained that she had predominantly asked closed “Yes/No” questions. Subsequently, she could not understand the full scope of the problem. Instead of identifying the root causes and encouraging the child to share their perspectives on appropriate measures to enhance their self-confidence, Ms. T had been offering misguided advice and predefined solutions.
That all changed when she enrolled in her local ChildFund-supported training session for child protection professionals.
Ms. T writes up a report after a call she received through Vietnam’s National Child Helpline 111.
Strengthening child protection services
ChildFund Vietnam, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, is helping to build the capacity of the Helpline 111 counsellors like Ms. T to strengthen child-protection systems across the country. Through knowledge and skills-based training sessions, counsellors learn the necessary information and resources to feel confident and capable when supporting children in critical and emergency child protection cases, especially when providing psychological care. They are also encouraged to participate in workshops to share their insights and strategies for case counselling with peers.
Since participating in the ChildFund-supported training sessions, Ms. T and her team have successfully applied the knowledge and skills gained to assist in many emergency cases, including A.
Improving outcomes for vulnerable children
At the hospital, Ms. T and CRRT worked to stabilise A’s mood, teaching relaxation techniques to reduce stress. They were also quick to establish a relationship with A.’s family, listening to their concerns and opinions about their child’s wellbeing – a strategy Ms. T had learnt in one of her training sessions.
Ms. T and the team encouraged the family to continue to monitor A and shared knowledge about violence prevention and information on how to respond in high-risk situations. They also provided contacts of individuals and organisations that could provide more resources to support A’s recovery and future development.
As this case stemmed from social media, Ms. T also provided information on online safety. She coordinated with A.’s school to create a safe environment for A. to learn more life skills, especially how to manage their safety online and build healthy relationships.
Ms. T shared: “Engaging in the capacity-building training within the project has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge in psychology, effective communication skills with children and their families, and enhanced teamwork capabilities. These comprehensive trainings have significantly improved the effectiveness of emergency assistance for children, especially in critical and emergency cases. The knowledge and skills gained from the training also helped me to empower children to raise their awareness and knowledge on preventing violence and abuse and to provide parents and caregivers with clear insights on how to care for, nurture, and protect children.”
After a month of psychological first-aid support from Ms. T and her team and following 12 psychotherapy sessions – part of the free, intensive treatment provided by the Helpline 111 – A.’s wellbeing has dramatically improved. Notably, A. now has less anxiety talking to people and attending school, has better sleep and less stomach pain.
Creating lasting change
While there is still work to be done to strengthen Vietnam’s child protection systems, including improving case management and referral processes and increasing the support for community-based organisations, enhancing the capacity of counsellors like Ms. T is critical in creating a safer environment for children. Her work is vital to the wellbeing of vulnerable children in Vietnam; receiving and processing concerns and reports of child abuse from children, caregivers, and the local community can have life-changing consequences for all involved. Thanks to the dedication of Ms. T and countless other child protection professions across the country, children like A* can say, “I am safe”.
*Names have been changed to protect individuals’ identities.
Right now, over 500,000 young refugees face crisis upon crisis, their lives at risk and their futures uncertain. But we have the power to help.
Corinne Habel, ChildFund Australia’s Chief Development Officer, recently travelled to Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. There she met children and young people who dream of a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Below Corinne shares more about ChildFund Australia’s work with partner EDUCO to create more safe spaces, and just some of the many extraordinary stories and aspirations of young refugees who continue to fight for their safety and wellbeing.
Basic human needs are not met
“As a mother of four children, visiting the camps was incredibly confronting. Families live on top of each other, overcrowded in temporary shelters constructed with nothing more than some flimsy bamboo and a tarpaulin roof built onto steep, rocky hills. Children sleep, eat and play in a single room with multiple family members, and young people have no privacy. There’s one latrine for every 50 people.
Domestic violence, child labour, early marriage and child exploitation are real threats children face every day. It’s not hard to see why the girls I met consistently listed personal safety as their number one concern.
Formal education and vocational opportunities in the camps are limited, and this hits girls the hardest. Many stop their education when menstruation begins. They are deemed ready for marriage and confined to their shelters.
Breaking the taboos on menstruation
“Menstruation is not a secret thing; it is a natural and healthy bodily process.”
Lily, pictured at the head of the classroom, leads a discussion about menstrual hygiene and management. (ChildFund Australia) Source: ChildFund Australia
Lily’s Story
Having your period can be tough, but it’s extra difficult for girls like Lily* in Cox’s Bazar. Despite her love of learning, Lily was denied access to schooling due to cultural norms that stigmatise periods. Such beliefs not only hindered her studies but also perpetuated harmful misconceptions about menstruation within her community.
ChildFund Australia together with partner EDUCO are helping to change attitudes towards girls’ hygiene and education in the camps. Volunteer staff spoke with Lily and her mum about the ‘dos and don’ts’ of menstruation at their local multi-purpose centre. These learning facilities give girls like Lily access to education around menstruation – and a platform to challenge prevailing norms.
Armed with a deeper understanding of female hygiene, human rights and gender equality, Lily is now on a mission to help educate other girls about menstrual hygiene and management, and the importance of education.
“I dream that I will complete my study and work to raise awareness about the human rights and lives of the people of my community, especially the girls.”
Israt’s Story
Israt, 13, arrived at Kutupalong camp in Cox’s Bazar when she was just six years old. Now, on the threshold of puberty, Israt wants to take greater control of her life the best she can. This has meant learning more about her body and speaking up for her rights. Specifically, what menstrual and personal hygiene management looks like, which, considered a taboo topic in her culture, was never spoken about at home or with friends.
And she has done this as an active member of her camps’ youth club, held at ChildFund-supported multi-purpose centres. Since joining, Israt has learnt about the dos and don’ts when menstruating, leadership skills, as well as empowering other girls in her community to be aware and talk about their health and hygiene.
Today, Israt runs monthly club meetings and various activities, including organising awareness sessions on child rights, protection and gender-based violence. She continues to help dispel misconceptions that girls can’t leave the house, shower, or even go to the kitchen when menstruating.
“Menstruation is not a secret thing; it is a natural and healthy bodily process,” Israt says.
The living conditions are unimaginable
What is it like in these cramped, unhygienic living conditions? Families are battling disease outbreaks and illness with limited access to medical care. Risk of serious uncontrolled fires from cooking are all too common, due to the cramped living conditions and during the monsoon season, floods and landslides threaten people’s makeshift homes and water supply – making life even harder. Add to this, diminishing food rations, increasing hunger and poor nutrition and the outlook for children, young people and their families is bleak.
In spite all of this, the children displayed incredible resilience and aspiration for their futures. I met girls that wanted to be doctors, nurses, pilots and teachers. I also met young women who eagerly and enthusiastically shared their stunning embroidery and sewing projects with me. So proud that they were able to earn some small income to assist their families.
I was incredibly impressed with the groups of young people – both male and female – joining and leading groups to improve their communities by teaching peers, elders and younger children on topics such as the dangers of early marriage and child labour as well as how to stay safe during fires and storms. They envision a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Lamia, pictured above, learns how to safely put out a fire as part of disaster training workshops in the camps. (ChildFund Australia) Source: ChildFund Australia
Meet the next generation of leaders
“I want to work as a firefighter and serve my community; I want to save people’s lives.”
Lamia’s Story
Lamia*, 18, belongs to one of the many female-led households in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp. Since 2017, fires, floods and violence have been part of her everyday life. Because Lamia’s home is composed of just female family members, they are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence and at risk during emergencies. Due to cultural beliefs, women and girls may hesitate to seek help from male community members.
Young refugees like Lamia want to be prepared when disasters occur – to know how to protect themselves and help other women and girls. That’s why ChildFund Australia, alongside our partner, EDUCO, provide community-based disaster management training for young people like Lamia in the camps. By doing so, we can help build their capacity as first responders and improve protection in the camps.
“I want to work as a firefighter and serve my community; I want to save people’s lives,” Lamia says.
Minul’s Story
At just 15, Minul* embodies resilience amidst adversity in the camps. Despite the trauma of displacement, Minul is determined the improve his situation the best he can and effect positive change.
ChildFund and EDUCO’s Adolescent Boys Club are helping to empower boys like Minul by providing a safe space where they can learn and gain important life skills. Minul’s involvement in the club has been transformative. Prior to joining, he wasn’t aware of child rights and protection issues in the camp, including child marriage and labour. Now, equipped with knowledge and confidence gained from club sessions and training workshops, he advocates for the rights and wellbeing of children in his community.
“I have seen the distressing reality of children becoming victims of child marriage and child labour, and it deeply troubles me,” Minul says. “However, as a member of the Adolescent Boys Club, I am now in a position to help stop these harmful practices.
Minul wants to continue to help educate children and young people within his community; he dreams of becoming a poet and Quran teacher.
A place to stay safe—and stay strong
It seems like a simple thing, but these multi-purpose centres and youth clubs are saving lives. They are a safe place where children and young people – the doctors, nurses, teachers and pilots of tomorrow – can learn important and practical life skills, socialise and be safe.
In the face of so much uncertainty, the resilience, hope, and unwavering belief in the potential for change among the young refugees I met was truly extraordinary.”
ChildFund Australia’s Chief Development Officer, Corinne Habel, pictured above, hears from girls about their dreams for the future in Kutupalong refugee camp. (ChildFund Australia) Source: ChildFund Australia
