Opinion- The story of kids who lose their rhythm

Among the countless stories I have witnessed in my life, none have been more difficult to share than that of the kids who lose their rhythm. Childhood experiences shape our minds, lives, and relationships. In the womb, we are first comforted and regulated by the steady rhythm of our mother’s heartbeat. But for some of the people we know, this rhythm is shattered by acts of violence that leave them forever altered.

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that at least one in six boys and one in four girls endure abuse during their childhood. This is not just a dehumanisation and violation of the body; it is a profound breach of trust and a physical, mental, spiritual and emotional rupture that reverberates through every aspect of their lives. Globally, the cost of addressing violence is staggering.

In the US, the economic burden is estimated at around $1.2 trillion, including direct medical expenses, lost productivity, mental health care, and legal costs. These figures emphasise the urgency of investing in policies that prevent and address abuse while helping survivors rebuild their lives.

Assault trauma is a heavy burden that erodes survivors’ sense of self, their strength, and their hope. Survivors often experience intense feelings of shame and hypersensitivity triggered by a culture that misunderstands, stigmatises and isolates them.

Historically, this tactic of breaking the human spirit has been evident in the brutal practice of 'breaking the buck,' a method used by slavers to publicly humiliate and control the enslaved. Today, similar tactics persist. The UN has documented that Israeli occupation forces employ abuse to break the spirits of Palestinian children, a stark reminder of the enduring use of violence as a weapon of domination and control.

In the Sultanate of Oman, progress has been made with the Child Law of 2014, which established Child Care Committees in each of the eleven governorates. These committees comprise social workers, educators, mental health experts, and law enforcement officers who implement policies to prevent, address and prosecute abuse. However, challenges remain.

Recent data indicate a steady increase in reported cases that doubled between 2017-2018 to reach almost 200 cases, in part due to improved reporting systems and rising cyberbullying incidents. Authorities are implementing several initiatives to bridge critical gaps, including public mental health services that currently lack the infrastructure to offer confidential appointments with specialists, and private hospitals that often are not able to provide the level of privacy that survivors need, making them feel exposed and vulnerable.

Addressing violence effectively requires a multi-faceted approach involving four types of policies: preventative, curative, punitive, and alleviative. Preventative measures start with comprehensive education and awareness initiatives in schools, homes, and community spaces, aimed at empowering children and adults to recognise, report, and prevent abuse.

Curative or palliative policies focus on long-term, survivor-centred mental health services, modelled after international best practices like Australia’s 'Respectful Relationships' programme and Iceland’s 'Trauma-Informed Care' model, which prioritise empathetic, holistic care. Punitive policies must ensure swift and transparent legal actions, signalling zero tolerance for abuse while avoiding re-traumatising victims.

Alleviative policies, often the most neglected, involve creating safe spaces and supportive environments through community-based initiatives that provide support groups, resilience-building activities, and accessible mental health care. Programmes in Sweden and the UK have shown that alleviative policies can transform lives by reducing stigma and fostering supportive, empathetic communities.

We, as a society, measure true civilisation not by our power or wealth, but by how we care for our most vulnerable members. Each one of us has a role to play in restoring the rhythm of those who have lost it. If you work in the private sector, propose to your colleagues that your company sponsors child safety programmes. Public sector employees can advocate for adequate public funding and the thoughtful implementation of relevant policies. Medical professionals, please dedicate more of your time and expertise to healing those burdened with trauma.

Educators, take special care in applying the preventative measures outlined in the School Education Law of 2023. And to law enforcement officers, act with urgency and empathy, ensuring that victims are not burdened with shame.

Most importantly, let us all strive to be kind. Survivors need kindness, not judgement, compassion, not isolation. Together, we can build and nurture communities, including mosques, schools, peers, playgrounds, workplaces, support groups and media where no child loses their rhythm and every survivor finds hope and healing.