Palestine: Tdh Fighting Sexual Abuse in Gaza

Tdh Child Protection Unit in Gaza, with 30 National and one International Project Manager, currently 100% funded by UNICEF in the framework of Humanitarian Assistance, is the driving force behind building and strengthening an integrated and sustainable system of child protection in the Gaza strip. Governmental and non-governmental child protection actors are closely co-operating in a Child Protection Network (CPN). Currently, 2 CPNs are operating in 2 of the 5 Gaza governorates, with the missing 3 CPNs under development.

The Child Protection Networks in Gaza are providing assistance to children in extremely dangerous situations, one actor alone would not be able to cope with. Under the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs, bi-weekly meetings are held, where action plans are set up to be accomplished by multidisciplinary intervention teams, with close follow-up on the success of these interventions. Assessment, interventions and quality assurance are facilitated by a database assisted Child Protection Case Management System, currently being implemented by Tdh in the Gaza Strip.

Right from the start in autumn last year, Tdh was asked by local authorities to help focussing on sexual abuse of children and youth in Gaza. Well aware of the strong taboos around this issue, Tdh invested a lot of time and energy to build strong and trustful relationships with key opinion leaders in Gaza. Long-term co-operation with the police and the Ministries of Social as well as Religious Affairs, the Ministries of Justice and Interior and with the Informal Justice System are requested for sustainable improvement of juvenile justice and protection from sexual abuse in Gaza.