They receive comprehensive care to process the trauma of sexual abuse, after which they are reintegrated into the family environment. We welcome them, as in a large family, and try to assure they have as normal a life as possible, through continuing in their schooling, having family visits, and free time for recreation, etc.
History:
In the Children’s Centre cases of sexual abuse were detected that required a specialized treatment for the child, and protection from the aggressor, who frequently was a close relative and continued to live in the family home. This is how the Children’s Home came about, as a response to the reality of child sexual abuse which the local and national authorities had all but ignored. The need to provide this type of service was evident, although, the initial idea was put on hold due to financial restraints. Eventually however, with the support from Ireland Aid and the British Embassy, we were able to construct and furnish a building suitable for this need.
A plot of 600 m2 was bought near the Children’s Centre. The construction began in early 2004, and opened on July 11 of the same year, with the presence of two of our Irish benefactors, Mary McKnight of the parish of St. Bernadette and Maire Fitzpatrick of St. Anne´s parish. Until 2016, our service was exclusively for children from 4 to 12 years old, but from 2017, thanks to the support of the “Old Dart Foundation”, the house was enlarged allowing us to accommodate teenager girls.