Speaking at the symposium, Üsküdar University Founding Rector, psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, said, “This issue is a bleeding wound. It's not visible. It's like an open secret known by everyone. Everyone knows. It exists in many places.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan: “Childhood neglect and abuse have a negative impact on the mental health of society in later life.”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. A. Aktuğ Ertekin drew attention to the fact that child neglect and abuse have existed in all types of societies throughout history, stating, “There is no such concept as it being less common in developed societies. We shouldn't say, 'It won't happen to my child.'”
The “Child Neglect and Abuse Symposium – Larva Film Screening and Interview,” organized by Üsküdar University with contributions from the Early Childhood Development Working Group, was held at the Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall.
The opening speeches of the symposium were delivered by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan and Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. A. Aktuğ Ertekin.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Like an open secret known by everyone”
In the program, which saw high participation, Üsküdar University Founding Rector Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan reminded that joint work on this issue was carried out with the Istanbul Governorship in 2010, stating, “This issue is a bleeding wound. It's not visible. It's like an open secret known by everyone. Everyone knows. It exists in many places.”
Tarhan stated that this issue is known by psychiatrists and psychologists working in the field, explaining, “We now apply the childhood trauma scale to every case. We see that many late-life illnesses are rooted in childhood trauma, that traumas are forgotten and later manifest as illnesses.”
Tarhan recounted a case where the obesity of a 130-kilogram girl was found to be due to incest trauma, stating that the person constantly blamed herself due to the incest and continuously ate, thinking, 'I must be ugly, I don't deserve beauty, I must eat constantly.'
Bodily Privacy Should Be Explained
Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that children should be taught about bodily privacy within the family, adding, “Childhood neglect and abuse have a negative impact on the mental health of society in later life.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan reminded that the essence of medicine is the preservation of health, stating that there is a medical approach focused on treating illness, but what is important is the preservation of health.
Pointing to child health and development, Prof. Dr. Tarhan noted that a child born with their own identity forms their identity by interacting with parents and other objects as they grow.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also emphasized the importance of protecting children, stating that children who were protected in the past continued their lives normally.
Tarhan, stating that a person who only works for themselves is malevolent, also emphasized the importance of contributing to society.
Prof. Dr. A. Aktuğ Ertekin: "'We shouldn't say, 'It won't happen to my child'"
Within the scope of the opening speeches, Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. A. Aktuğ Ertekin drew attention to the fact that child neglect and abuse have existed in all types of societies throughout history, stating, “There is no such concept as it being less common in developed societies. We shouldn't say, 'It won't happen to my child.'”
Ertekin pointed out that awareness is the most important aspect of child neglect and abuse, stating, “Education is at the forefront of solutions. The issue of abuse used to be physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Now, economic and digital abuse have also been added to this.”
Ertekin stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) says 1 in 4 people suffer abuse in childhood, and that globally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 13 men are sexually abused as children, and more than 40,000 children under the age of 15 die each year due to neglect and abuse.
Larva Film Screening Held
Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social Work faculty member Prof. Dr. Abdullah Karatay delivered a presentation titled “Child Neglect and Abuse & The Situation in Turkey,” while Üsküdar University FHS Department of Child Development Head Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer presented on “The Role of Parental Support Programs in Preventing Child Neglect and Abuse.”
Following the speech titled “Mass Impact of Short Films” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldız Derya Birincioğlu Vural, Head of Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication, Department of New Media and Communication, a Larva Film Screening and an interview were held with Üsküdar University FHS Department of Child Development / Larva Film Script Consultant Res. Asst. Begüm Gamiş Çiftci and Larva Film Director Volkan Güney Eker.
A family photo was also taken at the symposium.