First Global Research and Treatment Center for Child Abuse Opens in Jerusalem
Source: eJewish Philanthropy
The first-ever global center combining research and treatment of child abuse opened yesterday at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem at Mount Scopus. The Haruv Children’s Campus brings together, in one location, a comprehensive array of services for abused and neglected children, including emergency treatment, therapeutic facilities and child advocacy assistance. It houses seven organizations working on all aspects of identifying, diagnosing and treating children, allowing for unprecedented levels of cooperation and coordination. It is also home to a world-class research center and training services for a wide range of professionals.
This multi-disciplinary campus provides a holistic, child-centered approach to treating, studying and addressing the global issue of child abuse and creates new opportunities for groundbreaking collaboration between institutes and organizations in Israel and around the world. Partnering with the new campus are Hebrew University and the Hadassah Medical Center.
According to the World Health Organization, every fourth child worldwide is a victim of child abuse. Within Israel, about 400,000 youth are considered at-risk for child abuse. In 2015, there were an estimated 44,000 new cases of child abuse reported, with every third Israeli child suffering some form of neglect, 11 percent involving sexual abuse and 20 percent involving children with special needs. The problem is so acute that child services workers routinely deal with unmanageable levels of caseloads.
The Mount Scopus campus was chosen for its strategic location and general accessibility. The site offers proximity to the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities, which predominate in nearby residential areas, and the center will bring a culturally sensitive approach to its work with these populations.
The Haruv Children’s Campus will house several organizations devoted to dealing with child abuse, including: The Schusterman Emergency Center, The Beit Lynn Child Protection Center, The Israel National Council for the Child, The Center for Treatment of Sexually Abused Children, The Israel Medical Stimulation Center, The Municipal Child Welfare Center and The Goshen Program for Comprehensive Child Health.
Read more at eJewish Philanthropy.