The Three-Pronged Approach
How do you restore the life of a child who has been violated? A child who has either been taken from their family or sold by their family into sexual abuse, trafficking, or prostitution?
Alma Tucker, the founder of Casa del Jardin, not only believes that it is possible to help a child recover from such horrible violations of their person and rights, but she and her team are helping children heal. They achieve this through a three-pronged approach that focuses on victim-centered care, trauma-informed care, and care based on children’s rights.
Since 2010, Casa del Jardin has fought to help children involved in sexual abuse and trafficking. A Child’s Hope Foundation supports them in this mission with grants and coaching through our Thrive Program which is made possible because of our donors. The love and hope the home directors and therapists exemplify help ensure that children, teens, and young adults can thrive as they rejoin society.
The psychological health of children affects every aspect of their lives. Psychological care is especially crucial for children who have been in terrible situations.
1: The Victim-Centered Approach
When a child has been abused or trafficked, a victim-centered approach helps caregivers address the needs and concerns of the child.
Therapists and caregivers must be sensitive, non-judgemental, and available when they are helping children who have experienced trauma in their lives. When children are sharing traumatic experiences, they need to be comfortable, know that they are respected, and feel heard.
Key Features of this approach include
- Prioritizing the interests of the children.
- Providing sensitive and non-judgmental support.
- Offering comprehensive services 24/7.
- Focusing on empowering the children.
- Ensuring the protection of human rights and access to security and justice.
Having a victim-centered approach provides a child understanding and empowerment. One young girl at Casa del Jardin shared:
“Thanks to my weekly therapy sessions, I have realized that I am not guilty of the abuse I received. I now understand that I am a beautiful human being with dreams that I can fulfill if I make an effort every day.”
2: The Trauma-Informed Approach
The trauma-informed approach considers that there are various ways in which trauma can affect children due to the suffering and abuse they have experienced. Trauma can often cause a negative emotional, physical, or spiritual impact on the well-being of a child, affecting both their internal and external situations.
Key Features of this approach include
- Acknowledging the emotional, physical, and spiritual impacts of trauma.
- Addressing the adverse effects trauma can have on a child’s well-being.\
When caregivers and therapists understand the traumatic impact on the children who are rescued and brought to the home, they can help those children manage their emotions and eventually overcome their past. The experience of a teenage girl at the home illustrates this:
“Through therapy sessions, I have learned to manage my emotions, especially all of the frustration, insecurity, and fear that invaded my head. I now understand that there are things that I cannot erase from my past, but I can overcome them and change my future into one full of love, faith, and hope.”
3: The Children's Rights-Based Approach
The children’s rights-based approach helps caregivers and therapists ensure that children are seen and heard as individuals who have rights. This helps the children prepare for their future outside of the home and allows them to experience the rights they are entitled to according to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Key Features of this approach include
- Recognizing that children have rights.
- Promoting the development of children’s capabilities.
- Providing adequate information to empower children.
As caregivers and therapists apply this approach, they help children like this teenage boy hope and work towards his future:
“At Casa del Jardin they listen to us. My caregivers and therapists have guided me weekly to channel my emotions in a positive way. I was a child who had no structure or goals to achieve; I had no dreams, and I thought that my life was not worth living or worth fighting for. However, now I see life differently and I want to continue studying and playing sports. I love soccer and I want to train hard to be a great player.”
Conclusion
Children, teenagers, and young adults who have been sexually violated deserve more than to be sheltered. They deserve to dream and have a full life.
Casa del Jardin uses these three approaches to help the children at their home heal deeply, achieve mental stability, and restore psychological health. The care they give is victim-centered, trauma-informed, and children’s rights-based.
We are so grateful for amazing partners and donors who make this kind of care possible. The psychological needs of orphaned and vulnerable children cannot be overlooked.
If you want to be part of this change, please join our Monthly Donor Program. Your support ensures that homes can continue to provide vital psychological care and emotional stability to boys and girls in need. By becoming a monthly donor, you help us offer life-changing services, empowering children to overcome their pasts and build bright, hopeful futures.
Let’s elevate how the world cares for orphaned and vulnerable children.