Hanah International Foundation

Making a start, especially in deafblind children   Emotional development is about recognizing, accepting and appreciating your own identity. who you are and what you can. Also in children with special needs. Already from the very beginning; mothers start giving names to the unborn child in her womb, names on birth cards are wonderful designed, and on the baptizing day the cake is decorated with a proud name. And on the first birthday we sing songs like “…and Karin has her birthday and... Read→

Due to own fears and education, it can happen that often parents and other caregivers avoid approaching sexual education. Also, when children themselves ask questions about intimacy or sex, adults are shocked and scared. How to react, what to answer to a five years old child? Sexual education is not all about using a condom or the advantages of different positions during sexual intercourse. It is not about preventing STD-s. In fact, it has more to do with the awareness of the own body and the overall... Read→

Sex education is to guide and support a child in sexual development, and since a child with a physical disability or a chronic illness also is a child, it is fully entitled to have sexual education. Children with special needs even require additional attention.   Acknowledge the sexuality of the child: Sometimes parents and even professionals think that children and young people with a physical disability or chronic illness have no sexuality. This is not true. They too are just like other... Read→

 Signs of abuse   There are more specific signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.   Signs of physical abuse: Consider the possibility of physical abuse when... Read→

Abuse and what it does   Child abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. While physical abuse might be the most visible sign, other types of abuse, such as emotional abuse or child neglect, also leave deep, long lasting scars. Some signs of child abuse are subtler than others. Knowing common types of abuse and what you can do, can help you to make a huge difference in a child’s life. The earlier abused children get help, the greater chance they have to heal from their abuse and not perpetuate... Read→

Myth:  Sexual education and good parenting can always protect children against sexual abuse.   Reality: Even the most attentive and well-meaning parents not always are able to protect their child against sexual abuse.  Of course a protective environment, made by knowing what your child does, by knowing the contacts of your child and by educating your child will help. But sometimes, children are abused and the best of parents could not have done anything about it. Perpetrators are excellent... Read→