Shaheda Omar from the Teddy Bear Foundation is a saint who walks amongst us
They share important information on what to look out for if you fear your child may be being harmed.
Shaheda Omar, director of the Teddy Bear Foundation that runs the better-known Teddy Bear Clinic gave a presentation at the Fairland CPF’s public meeting recently.
The foundation cares for children who have been sexually abused, physically abused, trafficked or otherwise harmed. Omar is also the clinical director who plays an active role in helping, caring for and loving our children in their darkest moments.
ALSO READ: Swimming a mile for The Teddy Bear Clinic
They offer psychosocial support, and education programmes and conduct forensic medical examinations which are used to compile a report for police and do their best to work with the criminal justice system to ensure children are protected and not further victimised.
Records by the foundation find perpetrators to overwhelmingly be unknown males followed closely by biological fathers, male friends of the family and male friends.
Rape leads the sexual abuse list, with everything from assault which features significantly to the witnessing of murders, attempted murder and robberies highlighting the wide scope of shocking cases they deal with.
ALSO READ: Teddy bears for abused children
Almost two-thirds of cases are female, with the vast majority being African, followed by Coloured, White and a small percentage being Asian.
“There is massive underreporting on cases of abuse against children,” said Omar who expressed frustration at the difficulties children have when dealing with law enforcement or court personnel like magistrates who are not trained to understand the nuance and differences at play when dealing with minors.
She added that “Secondary victimisation is so widespread with a landscape of injustices perpetrated against children. We need to as a society educate ourselves and public officials on how to safely deal with these children.”
ALSO READ: Handcrafted teddy bears bring courage to the fragile
Their court preparation programme, established in 1997, focuses on providing children and parents with skills both emotional and practical in preparation for extremely intense and intimidating court appearances.
Station Commander at Fairland Police Station Lieutenant Colonel Clive de Freitas said following the presentation, “We can all learn more and do better. Your presentation has given us a lot to think about and on behalf of all members of the station here tonight, thank you.”
Chair of the Fairland CPF Dr. Gulam Karim concurred saying these kinds of public engagement with civil society were so important, ‘if we are to learn and grow and continue to strive to do better for those we serve and protect’.
ALSO READ: Parkview police pulls out all the stops for Teddy Bears Montessori visit
The foundation lists the following as possible signs of child abuse
- Children suddenly have more money and gifts.
- Family members or other people want to take out only that child all the time.
- Your child takes longer than usual to get home from school.
- Your child refuses to go to school/ visit people they used to before.
- The child makes strange comments about a certain person.
- Personality of the child suddenly changes, and he or she clings to you.
- Lack of appetite or sudden increased appetite.
- Child suddenly wants to be isolated and seems withdrawn.
- Bed wetting, nightmares or can’t sleep at night.
- Child has a lot of sexual knowledge for his or her age.
- Depression, withdrawal, suicide attempts.
- Medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, and venereal diseases.
*Although these signs do not necessarily indicate that your child has been sexually abused, they could help you to identify that something is wrong.
Who to call for help: Childline on 0800 055 555, the police, 10111 or the Teddy Bear Clinic, 011 484 4554 (office hours only).
