16 Days Of Activism: Children are born, but champions are made
The Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children (TTBC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring abused children are protected and rehabilitated.
More than 40% of all sexual assaults are committed by children who are sexually aggressive to other children. These children are as young 5 and 7-years old, many of whom were themselves victims of violence.
The Teddy Bear Clinic's director, Dr Shaheda Omar, says the cycle of abuse needs to be broken.
"We have found that a lot of these children have unresolved issues in their lives, and the manifestations are usually mal-adaptive."
The clinic provides therapy, counselling, assistance, love, comfort, safety and ongoing support to children who have been abused. The Teddy Bear Clinic works with children, parents and communities - empowering them with knowledge and skills so that an end can be brought to child abuse.
ALSO READ: 16 Days of Activism: Know your self-worth
"Our focus is working with victims of abuse. Our vision is 'child abuse no more' where actually we work ourselves out of a job. Where we would not have to reach out to children who in need of such services," Omar says.
She has a message of hope for those who are dealing with the effects of abuse.
"We say 'children are born, but champions are made'. If they get the relevant support and immediate psychosocial intervention they will bounce back with a force. We feel children have the potential to heal," she says.
Dr Omar says while good work is done during the 16 Days of Activism, much more needs to be done.