Hug artwork draws attention to child sexual abuse
The week against child abuse has started, and the days are full of hugs to draw attention to child sexual abuse. A total of 865 reports were submitted, equal to the number of reports of child abuse in 2020.
“This installation shows how many children are abused. Namely one in ten,” says artist Jorien Ketelaar. “There are other ten stuffed animals, each with the same color pattern, and a stuffed animal with a color. So it jumps out, that’s one in ten.”
One of the initiators is Lara, who becomes a victim of abuse. “The goal is that it becomes negotiable and that people know that this is happening. And that it also happens on such a large scale.”
Passers-by react positively to the initiative. “I think it’s great that this is being brought to the attention again,” says one of them. “Children also often feel that it is their fault.” Lara agrees: “I think it’s very important to be able to talk.”
The cuddly artwork will hang until Sunday.