Social Pediatrics Unit: Interdisciplinary and intersectoral care model for patients who are victims of child abuse

Abstract

Background:
Children and adolescents (CHI) who experience child abuse face serious consequences for their physical, mental, and social development (perpetuation of violence, poverty, and inequality). The WHO recognizes this as a public health problem, highlighting the need to heal complex trauma and ensure its non-repetition. Although an intersectoral pathway in Colombia exists involving health, protection, and justice, the lack of specialized centers leads to revictimization, reprocessing, and failures in comprehensive care. Additionally, the Ministry of Health guidelines do not include outpatient protocols for trauma healing.

Methods:
In response, the Universidad del Valle and the Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García (HUV) at Cali, Colombia developed an innovative program based on the ecological model of health, the WHO INSPIRE strategy, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Results:
The Social Pediatrics Unit offers person-centered interprofessional care, integrating clinical actions and actions from the justice and protection sectors, preventing revictimization, improving processes, and ensuring trauma healing. The narrative describes the challenges to program sustainability, lessons learned from the model's implementation, and intersectoral work.

Conclusion:
After providing care to 3,602 children and adolescents, 1,454 of whom suffered child abuse, it can be concluded that these programs are essential for breaking cycles of violence, demonstrating that comprehensive, person-centered, and evidence-based care can mitigate the impact of child abuse on the individual and the region.