The Psychosocial Demography and Resources of Disadvantaged Children in Armed Conflict and Sustainable Community Child Protection Process: A Case Study

Abstract

The effect of trauma from an armed conflict is central to the concern of psychosocial workers in responding to children’s psychosocial needs. However, dealing with trauma is not the priority of a disadvantaged community in view of recovering from the negative impacts of armed conflict. This 2-year case study presents insights on how psychosocial workers can team-up with a community to understand people’s priorities and develop indigenous child protection programs. The study emphasizes the capacity of the community to address the psychosocial concerns of children by utilizing interventions that are familiar and meaningful to them. When a community claims expertise in managing their lives by using their own strengths, this ensures a sustainable protection for children. The role of psychosocial workers is to discover the path where they can journey with a disadvantaged community.