Some 303 children and teenagers reside at the temporary children’s homes operated by Conani, the National Council for Childhood. The children are taken there after it is determined they have been abused or abandoned by their parents.
The media reported that in the first quarter of 2018, Conani homes took in 148 minors, 15 for physical abuse, 13 for sexual abuse, 12 for psychological abuse and the rest because they were abandoned. Of the 148 children who were given protection during this time period 23 were Haitians.
The number of Haitian children given this type of protection has been increasing, according to the director of the homes, Natalia Asmar. She also said that every day they receive 2 to 15 children a day, while the numbers increase during Christmas, Easter Week and the school holidays.
The affected children are usually placed with a family member. According to Alí Peña, the legal advisor to Conani, they will first confirm that the person is indeed a family member, carrying out DNA testing if necessary and then they will evaluate the home to ensure it is a suitable environment for the child. She said that a multi-disciplinary team carries out in depth studies to determine the wellbeing of the child based on the belief that no minor should grow up outside the family.
Most children in the homes live there for three to six months, sometimes longer. If no family members can be found they are taken to a Non-Governmental Organization that agrees to be responsible for the care of the child.
Conani again was in the press after a video circulated on social media of an abusive Haitian mother and her two-year old child.
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Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
16 May 2018
