PSRM promotes lectures on the prevention of child sexual abuse during the Orange May campaign
Action at the Emergency Room in Belém guided patients and companions on signs of violence, prevention, and reporting channels
In commemoration of Orange May – a month dedicated to combating the abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents – the Humanization Committee, the User Service (SAU), and the Ombudsman of the Dr. Roberto Macedo Emergency Room (PSRM) in Belém held a series of awareness lectures on the morning of this Friday (30) aimed at patients and companions waiting for care in the receptions of the Adult and Pediatric Emergency Units.
The initiative aimed to reinforce the importance of prevention, alert about the signs of abuse, and inform the population about official reporting channels. Among the topics addressed were early adultification, the care with children's exposure on social media, and the risks associated with child sexual exploitation.
According to educator Vanilsa Gaspar from SAU/Ombudsman, health professionals play a fundamental role in raising awareness and confronting sexual violence against children and adolescents. "It is very important to take advantage of all opportunities to raise awareness about the signs of violence and child sexual abuse. This applies to both the public and health professionals, who need to be prepared to identify, report, and denounce these cases," she stated.
The activity was well received among the companions, as highlighted by Luciana Reis, a resident of the Castanheira neighborhood. "The lectures were very important to guide the parents who were there waiting for care. Many times, we do not have a keen eye, especially those who spend the day away from home. It was good to know where to seek help, how to report. Sometimes, a person feels ashamed or afraid, but with information, it becomes easier to act," she reported.
The Humanization analyst at PSRM, Watuzi Rebelo, reinforced the role of society in reporting and protecting children and adolescents. "During the lectures, we emphasized how essential it is for the population to be attentive and report whenever they identify any signs of abuse or sexual exploitation. The Disque 100 is a free, anonymous channel available 24 hours for these cases," she explained.
Service - The Dr. Roberto Macedo Emergency Room is located on Augusto Montenegro Avenue in Belém. The unit is managed by the Acqua Institute in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa) and operates on a 24-hour shift. The state emergency room is a reference for urgent and emergency care, with specialties such as general surgery, pediatric surgery, vascular, thoracic, bucomaxillofacial, and neurosurgery.
Text: Joelza Silva (Ascom PSRM)
