November 20 marked International Children's Rights Day. On this occasion, the Departmental Council and the associations Defense of Children International (DEI) Gard and Unicef Languedoc-Roussillon are planning the Gard Child Rights Week from November 20 to 29, 2024. Placed in a foster family then in an institution , Laura, a young 19-year-old guard, testifies.
In France, this day marks the anniversary of the adoption, in 1989, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This text recognizes, among other things, the rights of children to protection, education and expression. But what about children entrusted to Child Welfare (ASE)? The exercise of their rights remains the same as for other children.
Placed in foster care since the age of 7, after being a victim of family violence, Laura
looks back on her journey and what children's rights mean to her.
Placement, movement: the quest for stability “Following violence from my mother, I was placed in foster care,” says Laura. A journey in child protection, strewn with placements, replacements and displacements. Since the age of seven, she has lived with around ten foster families and in two different institutions. “I didn't feel safe because on weekends I went to my mother's house. I always had to move. I didn’t really have this feeling of stability,” the young woman plays again. It also expresses a crying need for more stability:
“I think there should be one reception area. Not being constantly moved, having a place where you can truly feel at home. It’s difficult to rebuild oneself in an unstable environment, especially when you have no reference points.”
Today, she lives in an apartment, made available by child welfare, as part of the “young adult contract” governed by the Taquet law of February 7, 2022. While continuing her studies and Taking financial responsibility, she seems to have found her bearings. She can count on the support of her educators and benefits from monitoring, including financial assistance if necessary, psychological and administrative assistance.
“Based on the past, we have a certain need to talk” For Laura, children's rights are primarily: listening, protection and help.“Based on the past, we have a certain need to talk” expresses Laura. During her years in placement, she was able to take note of her rights regarding her health and benefited from psychological support financed by the ASE. However, Laura emphasizes that access to this type of help is not automatic for all young people.“Some people cannot speak, and this is where support becomes essential” she insists. Although her journey was difficult and fraught with pitfalls, this young woman found valuable support from her educators:
“They were very supportive, and I was able to establish a real relationship with some of them.” Beyond her institutional journey, Laura raises important questions about the rights of children today. At 19, she shed light on a cause that is particularly close to her heart: bullying and its repercussions on learning as well as on the mental health of young people. According to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child,
“all children in the world must be protected against violence, mistreatment and discrimination, and must be able to benefit from the same education and be able to go to school in an environment favorable to their learning”.
Raise children's awareness of their rights “I didn't know all my rights, but at least when I asked, they helped me.” From her placement, Laura was able to make a profit by benefiting from more or less complete and effective access to her rights. Despite difficult times, she always had the opportunity to express herself and participate in decisions regarding her life.“I always had the choice. I was advised, but I decided”
she says, emphasizing the importance of autonomy in the life choices of young people in placement.
