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INTRODUCTION
Human rights laws and standards assert that states and other governmental actors have a duty to respect every person ’ s dignity and physical and mental integrity . They therefore provide a foundation of principle for work with children who have been exposed to sexual and other forms of abuse . In practice , this means that psychosocial interventions and treatments that are offered to child survivors of sexual abuse and violence must align with human rights principles . As helpers and carers , our personal conduct and the actions we take should respect the dignity and integrity of survivors ; and we should treat and analyse the abuses that children experience in terms of human rights law as well as in medical and therapeutic terms .
In sum , human rights standards can ground and inspire our work with children who have been abused ; and provide tools for action . We can explain to children , so that they can see for themselves , that the violence they have experienced violates important rules and principles that are legally recognised internationally and generate legal obligations and duties for public authorities . We can further explain that children who have experienced sexual abuse or violence are entitled to help and support because it is the responsibility of states and other authorities to provide help , treatment and protection to victims of such crimes , and eventually to prosecute those responsible for them . In addition , children are entitled to specific forms of protection that consider their education , care and development as well as their physical and psychological safety .
“ Human rights laws and standards assert that states and other governmental actors have a duty to respect every person ’ s dignity and physical and mental integrity . They therefore provide a foundation of principle for work with children who have been exposed to sexual and other forms of abuse .”
The work we do together to mitigate and heal the impact of sexual violence on mental and physical health of children promotes human rights too . It contributes to the protection of rights , individually and societally . Children ’ s rights include protection , provision and participation .
REFLECTION QUESTION
Questions to reflect on
• What violations of children ’ s rights have you witnessed ?
• Do you follow human rights practice when you work with children ? How ?