Clinical Handbook
Health Care for Children Subjected to Violence or Sexual Abuse
- English
- Khmer
Highlights
Violence against children is a serious public health concern and a human rights violation with consequences that impact their lives in various ways. Violence and sexual abuse suffered in childhood adversely affects the body as well as the mind, which can lead to a broad range of behavioral, psychological and physical problems that persist into adulthood.
Healthcare practitioners play a significantly important role in prevention and response to violence against children. They are often the first or only point of reference for children who have experienced violence, detecting abuse and providing immediate and longer-term care and support to children and families. In 2015, the Ministry of Health developed “the National Guidelines for Management of Violence Against Women and Children in the Health Sector”, which provides health care centers and referral hospitals with an overview of prevention and response in the health sector to violence against women and children.
This “Clinical Handbook on Health Care for Children Subjected to Violence or Sexual Abuse” elaborates on knowledge and skills required to implement the National Guidelines. It aims to serve as a guide to ensure a prompt and adequate response to child victims of violence or sexual abuse for all healthcare practitioners. It provides further guidance on first line support, medical treatment, psychosocial support, and referral to key social and legal protection services. It can be also used as a resource manual for capacity development and training.
