Haggai International’s Post

Thisstudy concerns children who are victims of violence and abuse because of local beliefs, representations and practices, in particular witchcraft. Accused of being cursed, thousands of very young children are rejected by their families and put on the street, mainly in the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of cities. “To date, no successful study on the phenomenon of child witcheshasyetbeen publishedintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,wearetold,accordingtoUNICEF DRC.“Nevertheless,thephenomenonofchildrenaccusedofwitchcraftispartof thechallengesofchildprotection.” Socalled child witches are children who have been accused of witchcraft in the family or religious context. This results in the abandonment of parents, and exclusion from the community, which exposes them to illtreatment that can go as far as death. Orphan children, child servants and the children of stepmothers living in polygamous families are generally the targets of these witchcraft accusations. According to documentary sources from this structure, which carries out prevention work, support in the street, reunification and social reintegration, thousands of children accused of witchcraft have been chased from their homes and currently live in the streets. "A beginning of a study carried out in 2006, stipulates that 70% of children in family breakdown have found themselves isolated because of accusations of witchcraft". A figure that is difficult to verify but which nevertheless makes it possible to measure the extent of the phenomenon.

Your words resonate deeply with the raw emotions of compassion and concern for these vulnerable young girls. It's evident that you're deeply attuned to the pain and frustration they face as they navigate the aftermath of trauma and exploitation. The weight of their suffering, the loneliness they endure, is palpable in your heartfelt reflection. It's truly heartbreaking to witness how these girls carry the heavy burden of their past experiences, often feeling isolated and overlooked by a system that should offer them protection and care. The realisation that the safeguards meant to shield them may not always fulfil their intended purpose is sobering. Despite good intentions, these measures sometimes miss the mark, leaving these girls yearning for the love, support, and understanding they so desperately need. Your commitment to creating personalised support plans for these girls goes beyond mere professional duty—it reflects a deep-seated dedication to making a tangible difference in their lives. Your empathy and tireless efforts shine brightly as a beacon of hope in a world that can often feel dark and unforgiving. As we confront the magnitude of the challenges these girls face, it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. The sheer number of children enduring similar struggles underscores the urgency for systemic change. It's a call to action for a reimagined approach to child welfare—one that prioritises genuine care, nurturing, and support for every child in need. Your passion and advocacy for these girls are unwavering, serving as a driving force for positive change. Together, let's continue to advocate for a system that not only safeguards these vulnerable children but also fosters an environment where they are truly valued, supported, and loved. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #SupportingVulnerableYouth #ChildWelfare #EmpathyInAction #SystemicChange #TraumaRecovery #YouthAdvocacy #SocialJustice #CompassionMatters #BuildingHope #NurturingHearts #MakingADifference #EndExploitation #CareForEveryChild #CommunitySupport #LoveOverTrauma

💜 Standing in Solidarity Against GBV 16 Days Of Activism 💜 At Empowerment For Hope Society, we are a grassroots organization deeply committed to ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and supporting those affected by its devastating impact. We honor the lives lost to domestic violence and GBV—lives that were cut short by acts of cruelty and silence. These are not just numbers; they are daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and neighbors. Their stories demand to be heard. We stand with survivors, those who courageously navigate the scars of abuse every day. Their resilience inspires our mission to break the cycles of violence and provide safe spaces for healing, empowerment, and hope. ✨ Our Work at EFH Offering trauma-informed workshops and peer support groups. Raising awareness through education and advocacy. Providing referrals and resources for survivors to rebuild their lives. 🛑 Join Us in the Fight Against GBV Now, more than ever, we need to come together as a community. Share this message, speak out against violence, and support organizations like ours that are fighting for a world free from GBV. 📢 Together, we can turn pain into purpose, silence into strength, and fear into freedom. 💔 Let us never forget those we’ve lost. Let us honor them by standing firm in the fight for justice and safety for all. #EndGBV #SupportSurvivors #DomesticViolenceAwareness #EmpowermentForHope #TogetherForChange

❗1 in 5 children are victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales - that's over 800,000 children. Most support for child victims has not been evaluated, and so there's no evidence of what works. With the high human cost - as well as social and economic costs running into the tens of billions of pounds each year - we urgently need to find out what works to prevent domestic abuse and support child victims. Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families has launched a 5 year project to find the best way to help children and families who are experiencing domestic violence, reducing this impact by identifying what works. We have partnered with Foundations to evaluate one of the promising interventions included in the #REACHplan, Fathers for Change (originally from the US). Our Chief Exec, Katherine Jones, said: 🗣 "This one-to-one intervention positions fatherhood as a key motivator for change in abusive men. In the US it has been found to reduce the likelihood of repeat abuse and children’s exposure to conflict (Stover et al, 2020) and to halve the chances of a repeat child maltreatment report within a year (Beebe et al, 2023). High quality, robustly evidence-based programmes are much needed in England, and we look forward to exploring whether and how it could work here.” 👉 Learn more about the #REACHplan: https://lnkd.in/e_PgWWcT 👉 Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/eJUxeswy 👉 Read BBC coverage of the #REACHplan: https://lnkd.in/eB6XxmQg Association of Child Protection Professionals Family Rights Group Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) #domesticabuse #evaluation #conflict #familyservices

School leaders - how many children in your school if the ratio is 1/5 ? How do you enable them to speak about their experiences at home ? Have the changes in CSC thresholds meant that your school is doing more for these children ? How are you resourcing this? Is this contributing to the SEMH explosion? A lot of questions to consider. Time for change.

On this day, we remember the tragic loss of 13-year-old Danny Joe Eberle, a paperboy from Bellevue, Nebraska, whose life was brutally cut short. His story, though painful, highlights a growing yet often overlooked issue: the plight of the boy child in vulnerable contexts. In humanitarian work, much attention is given to protecting girls—and rightfully so. But we must not forget our boys, who also face dangers, from abuse to neglect, in silence. Danny Joe's story is a reminder that no child, regardless of gender, should be left unprotected. Boys, too, are susceptible to violence, exploitation, and emotional trauma, often masked by societal expectations of toughness. They, too, deserve safe spaces, nurturing guidance, and opportunities to thrive. It is essential to recognize and address the unique challenges boys face as they grow into young men in a world filled with risks and responsibilities. As we work towards building a more just and equal society, let us include the boy child in our conversations, policies, and actions. Protecting boys today means shaping the strong, responsible, and compassionate men of tomorrow. #ProtectTheBoyChild #HumanitarianAid #GenderEquality #ChildProtection #NeverForget

When a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault confides in someone, it’s vital that the person they go to understands how to foster hope for the survivor in a way that is appropriate. It is unrealistic to guarantee that everything will be okay or that things will work out perfectly. Instead, foster hope by talking about what the survivor CAN do to help identify parts of the crisis that can be changed. Fostering hope in this way best empowers the survivor and reminds them of their strengths. To learn more about how to talk to survivors, visit https://lnkd.in/gvBiBcyi

“Love bombing” is the excessive showering of attention, gifts, and love early on intended to draw someone in, foster dependence, and then use that influence to isolate them from friends/family, chip away at their self-esteem, and control them. If you’re in a new relationship and the intensity and pace of what you’re experiencing makes you uncomfortable, it should be a warning sign. Get more information like this to recognize the signs of abuse, find resources and support, and become empowered in “The Lighthouse.” This free guide for victims/survivors of abuse is available now at nomore.org/survivors-guide #NOMORE

Thank you for sharing your journey with such raw honesty. It's clear that your experiences have shaped you in profound ways, and your courage in speaking out is commendable. The photo you posted from the BBC Panorama series is a powerful reminder of the challenges you faced at a young age. It's heartbreaking to hear about the struggles you endured and the impact it had on your mental health. Your insight into the harsh realities faced by vulnerable children in our society is eye-opening and sheds light on important issues that need addressing. Your advocacy for those who are often forgotten or ignored is incredibly inspiring. By sharing your story and advocating for change, you are helping to rewrite the narrative and create a better future for others. Your determination to turn your past struggles into a source of strength and triumph is truly admirable. Thank you for your courage and resilience. Your voice is a beacon of hope for those who have faced similar challenges, and your efforts to bring about positive change are making a difference. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #BBCPanorama #YouthJustice #Advocacy #VulnerableChildren #MentalHealthAwareness #AdverseExperiences #ResilienceJourney #SocialJustice #ChangeNarratives #AdvocacyEfforts #TraumaRecovery #EmpowermentJourney #VoiceForChange #HopefulFutures #MakingADifference

Childhood abuse and neglect are often acknowledged, yet familial trafficking continues to shock many people. This form of trafficking represents a significant portion of human trafficking, more than many are willing to recognize or that organizations are prepared to discuss in the context we often hear of "save the children" and how it's happening in the world. It's not just a border issue; it is deeply ingrained in family and dynamics within every local community and has been for generations. In your own backyards, in every race, ethnicity and gender. I want to emphasize that human trafficking is a widespread problem that transcends boundaries and impacts people regardless of their background. If we can accept that childhood abuse and neglect occur, we should also be open to the unsettling reality that various forms of trafficking and exploitation can be perpetrated by a child's own family members or caregivers. Unfortunately, this is the reality in many cases, and many children are overlooked and underserved still to this day. Yolanda, Founder Free To Fly Lived Experience Consultant | Peer Support Specialist for Children in Safe Homes Transforming cycles of learned helplessness into deserved freedom. Committed to partnerships and providing essential aid for victims seeking safety and justice in collaboration with HSI. Consider supporting our organization where 💯 of everything you give goes directly to aid and children in recovery. www.free-to-fly.org