In Da Nang, abused children now have a safer place to be heard

The model, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aims to create a safe and child-friendly healthcare environment while strengthening child protection within medical facilities.

In addition to physical healthcare, the new model focuses on the early detection, support and intervention of children at risk of violence, abuse, neglect, or facing psychosocial issues.

The Child Protection Board consists of nine members, headed by Dr. Vo Huu Hoi, deputy director of Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children.

The board is responsible for coordinating the early identification of suspected cases of violence or abuse, receiving and treating physical and psychological injuries, and connecting with child protection networks in the community.

According to Hoi, the hospital has developed a five-step process, from receiving and assessing cases to developing intervention plans and providing follow-up monitoring and support, to ensure children receive timely and comprehensive protection.

Meanwhile, the child counseling and support room provides a separate, child-friendly and confidential space where children can share their difficulties and emotional distress more easily.

Previously, the hospital had received cases involving children requiring psychological support or suspected of abuse, but counseling was mainly conducted in office rooms or shared spaces, leaving children with limited privacy.

Many children feel hesitant or fearful and find it difficult to open up in crowded environments.

The new counseling room will help them feel safer when expressing their emotions, allowing healthcare and social workers to approach and provide more effective support.

When children are identified as being at risk of violence or abuse, the hospital will coordinate with police, justice authorities, child protection officers and local authorities to develop appropriate protection plans, including support after the children are discharged from the hospital.

As part of the program, experts from the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi and Hung Vuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City also shared experiences in identifying, receiving and handling cases of child abuse and violence in healthcare settings.

They discussed inter-agency coordination mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of child protection efforts.