Child abuse figures are “higher than records show”
A Local child protection
agencies are concerned that the number of sexually abused and maltreated
children could be far higher than estimated following a surge in numbers in
2009. Figures from the Our Child Foundation, a child protection agency, show
that the number of young people suffering sexual abuse and forced into
prostitution and pornography increased 95 percent to 834 last year, with most
of these children (633) aged between 6 and 15.
B Meanwhile, the total number
of psychically maltreated and neglected children almost tripled last year to
3,613 cases. Again, most of them (2,036) were aged 6 to 15. But Our Child
Foundation Director Zuzana Baudyšová says the true figures are much higher
given that most cases of neglect go unrecorded. “The statistics show that the
number of abused children is just a fraction of the total population. Most
cases of abuse and neglect go on behind closed doors, and that is a real
problem because there is no transparency”, she said. “Experts estimate the
number of unexposed cases in the Czech
Republic at 20,000 to
40,000.” She said the increase in cases last year was mainly due to the fact
that cases of neglected children were recorded for the first time.
C Hana Petráková, director of
the nongovernmental agency Safety Line (Linka bezpečí), which provides a
hotline service for children in crisis, shares similar concerns. “According to
our data, the numbers of children calling the safety line is because sexual
abuse is on the rise, and it is mostly cases where the child knows or is close
to the person rather than commercially organized exploitation”, she said. “But
I believe it is not possible to say exactly whether there is an actual increase
in numbers or whether it is an increase in the number of children who know
their rights better, are more aware that this is something that should not be
happening to them and know how to defend themselves.”
D Meanwhile, according to
Interior Ministry statistics, there were a total of 8,559 missing children last
year, 1,433 fewer than in 2008, but an increase from the 2000 figure of 5,581.
Petráková said the increase
is due to societal changes, namely the increased use of the Internet. “Over the
past 10 years, there has been a huge increase in usage. Children communicate
more, and children divulge a lot of private information, and thus they have
become more vulnerable”, she said.
Petráková also said that
many of these children are those who have escaped from juvenile homes and other
institutions. “These children might be longing to return to their family,
friends and former lifestyle”, she said. “They might have trouble coping with
the regime inside the institutions. And they might feel they would be better
off living independently.”
E The statistics show that 82
children who went missing in 2009 have not yet been found. As of May 10, a total of 2,660 children
and juveniles were reported missing, of whom 2,141 were aged 15 to 18. Of the
total for this year, 316 children are still missing. In order to combat the
problem, the Interior Ministry launched a "national coordination mechanism
for the search of missing children" May 11. The program is designed to
improve the search for missing children.
"I perceive the
extension of network services to help victims and working with families as
crucial," Petráková said. "But we need to continue educating children
in depth about their rights and the ways to solve various problems before their
lives and health are endangered. Educating parents is also important."
1) Read the article and match each of the headings to a paragraph.
1 Abuse procedes behind the closed door
2 Internet has an influence on abuse
3 The number of sexually abused
children is higher
4 Introduction
5Programme for missing children
2) Read the article again and answer the questions.
1 What is the article about?
2 What does Mrs Baudyšová speak about?
3 What is Safety Line?
4 How does the Internet influence child abuse?
5 How are missing children helped?
3) Explain the following words.
1 neglect
2 nongovernmental agency
3 prostitution
4 juvenile homes
5 victim
4) Answer the following questions.
What is child abuse?
What are types of child abuse? Why do children run away from homes? Who is a victim?
1) B,D,C,A,E
ReplyDelete2)
a) The article is about statistics on abused and missing children. It is also about a program for finding children.
b) She says the actual numbers of abused children are higher because they take place secretly behind closed doors.
c) It is a telephone line that can be called by children in need or in danger.
d) Children confide in their privacy and are more vulnerable.
e) It is helped by extending network services.
3)
neglect - It's a noun. It is a condition where the parent does not take care of the child properly.
nongovernmental agency -
prostitution - It's a noun. These are paid sexual services.
juvenile homes - It's a noun. These are homes where there are children with behavioral disorders.
victim - It's a noun. It´s a person who is being subjected to violence.
4) It is a condition where the child is physically or mentally abused or exploited. Mental, physical, sexual.Bad relationships with parents. They want to become independent. Bad influence of friends. It´s a person who is being subjected to violence.
1)1.B 2.D 3.C 4.A 5.E
ReplyDelete2) 1. The article deals with child abuse, which is higher than previously thought. A lot of abuse takes place behind closed doors.
2. Zuzana Baudyšová, says that the actual number is much higher, because most cases of neglect remain unrecorded. "Statistics show that the number of abused children is only a fraction of the total population.
3.Safety Line which provides a hotline for children in crisis. The safety line operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
4. The Internet affects children by making more use of children. Children communicate more and children reveal a lot of private information, which makes them more vulnerable
5.Children are assisted through the National Coordination Mechanism for the Search for Missing Children. The program is designed to improve the search for missing children. It is also important to educate not only children but also parents
3)1.neglect - It is a failure of proper parental care. It's a noun.
2. nongovernmenal ageny - often work for the humanities or social sciences. They high degree of public confidence
3.prostitution it is the occupation of engaging in sexual activity with someone for payment. It is a noun.
4. juvenile homes There are home to children who need a home because they have run away from home.
5. victim it is a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident. It is a noun
4) 1. What is child abuse? Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment of children; any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver.
2. What are types of child abuse? There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse.
3.Why are children running away from home? The reason may be abuse. They are afraid of their parents or loved ones, or they commit crimes.
4. Who is a victim? The victims are children who are abused by their loved ones. They can be children who are forced into something they do not want.
1: 1-B 2-D 3-C 4-A 5-E
ReplyDelete2:1-This article is about sexually abused children and its statistics . It's also about missing children.
2-She said that he number of abused children is much higher, because most of the cases happen secretly.
3-It's a nongovermental organization which provides hotline service for children in need.
4-Children comumunicate via internet much more than in the past and they share personal informations so they become volnerable.
5-The Interior Ministry launched national program called May 11 which can help to find missing children.
3: 1- neglect- it's a noun. It a situation when a parent doesn't take proper care of their child.
2-nongovernmental agency- it's a noun phrase. It's an organization whis is not established by the state.
3-prostitution- it's a noun. It's an activity when a person provides or has to provide sevices connected with their body and intimacy.
4-juvenile homes- it's a phrase. These are places where young people are placed for bad behaviour, abuse or because of poor living conditions in their families.
5-victim- it's a noun. It's a person who is a target of some kind of attacks.
1)
ReplyDelete1.B, 2.D, 3.C, 4.A, 5.E
2)
1. The article is about the statistics of abused and missing children, which is constantly increasing.
2. Mrs Baudyšová says that the real numbers are bigger, because most cases take place behind closed doors.
3. A safety line is a telephone line that they can call in an emergency or danger.
4. Children share their privacy with strangers on the Internet.
5. The Ministry of the Interior has launched a program "national coordination mechanism for the search of missing children. The program is designed to improve the search for missing children.
3)
1. neglect - it's a noun, it's a situation where parents don't take good care of the child
2. nongovernmental agency -
3. prostitution - it's a noun, these are paid sexual services
4. juvenile homes - it's a phrase, it's a substitute home for children with behavioral problems or from troubled families
5. victim - it's a noun, it's a person at risk of violence
4)
1. What is child abuse? - It is a situation where a child is physically or mentally abused or neglected.
2. What are types of child abuse? - neglect, physical abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, and child sexual abuse.
3. Why do children run away from homes? - family problems (abuse, neglect), drug problems, the influence of friends.
4. Who is a victim? - A victim is a person who has been abused. There was a crime on him.