Orange May Action at HGT Guides Population on Protecting Children and Adolescents

The General Hospital of Tailândia (HGT), located in the Tocantins Integration Region, held a mobilization last Thursday (29) in support of the national Orange May campaign, aimed at raising awareness and combating the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

The action was coordinated by the Humanization Working Group (GTH) and took place in the areas of the Emergency Room (PA) and the Outpatient Consultation of the unit, impacting about 50 users. During the activity, educational materials were distributed with guidance on signs of violence, reporting channels, and the role of society in protecting the rights of children and youth.

Among the participants, user Maria de Fátima Souza, 42, praised the initiative. "I thought it was great because not everyone knows how to act when they see something wrong. We need to learn, especially to protect our children, who are so vulnerable. This guidance helps to know where to seek help and how to report," she stated.

The Orange May campaign is held nationwide throughout the month of May and seeks to raise public awareness for the prevention of child and adolescent sexual abuse, strengthening the protection network.

During the activity, social worker Ysadora Rodrigues, who participated as a speaker, emphasized the importance of joint action in preventing and combating violence. "Combating child sexual abuse requires more than technical knowledge. It requires sensitivity, preparation, and coordinated work among different sectors. Our duty as health professionals and society is to welcome and refer every sign of violence. Information is our main prevention tool," she highlighted.

The multiprofessional approach was one of the central points of the event, reinforcing that care is not limited to clinical service but should involve the entire social assistance, educational, and public safety network.

Psychologist Ícaro Tonin also contributed with guidance and warned about the importance of qualified listening. "It is essential that the support network is attentive to behavioral signs. We need to offer a safe space where the victim feels welcomed to share their experiences. Our commitment is to the protection and reconstruction of the affective and social bonds of these children," he stated.

In addition to the guidance, professionals highlighted the importance of anonymous reporting. The Disque 100, a national, free, and confidential service, operates 24 hours a day and receives reports of human rights violations, with a special focus on cases involving children and adolescents.

Sexual violence in numbers - According to the Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security 2024, Brazil recorded one case of rape of children and adolescents every six minutes in 2023, highlighting the urgency of preventive and combat actions.

About HGT - The General Hospital of Tailândia has 51 beds, including an Intermediate Care Unit (ICU) with nine beds — six for adults and three pediatric. The unit serves exclusively through the Unified Health System (SUS), via the Municipal Regulation Center. Urgent and emergency cases are attended to on a spontaneous demand basis or referred by services such as Samu, Fire Department, and Highway Police.