Institutionalising Kids An Inhuman Practice: Rowling

Vocal about various issues, author J K Rowling has this time criticised orphanages. Children “all over the world are being severely harmed” because of orphanages, she said.

The Harry Potter author called for an alternative to the orphanages, claiming that even well-established institutions which cater to good health and well-being to children are slipping from their duties and having a detrimental impact on children’s welfare and development.

Rowling, who founded international children’s organisation Lumos, was quoted by the Huffington Post, “Children all over the world are being severely harmed, physically and psychologically, because their primary right to a family has been taken away."

The bestselling author took to the micro blogging site and tweeted:

Been awake since 5am. Today I’m addressing an EU conference on the institutionalisation of children, in my role as @lumos founder & president. This is very exciting, because these decision makers are crucial to the process of deinstitutionalisation.

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 15, 2018

She added, “Even those orphanages that are well-run, have good material conditions and qualified staff can’t replace the individual love, support and stability children get from a family.”

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She told the No Child Left Behind conference: “Donors across the world, many with the best of intentions, continue to fund orphanages that result in lifelong physical and psychological damage to children.

“The alternative to an abusive family should never be institutionalisation, for many good reasons ... Institutionalising children is an inhumane practice and ought to be outlawed internationally.”- Rowling on Twitter

“We need to stop money going to institutions and redirect it towards alternatives that strengthen families and communities – creating a long-term, sustainable system of care.”

Rowling sat down with Neven Mimica, the European commissioner for international co-operation and development, to discuss the international collaboration to address the issue. The subject solely focused on improving lives of kids who are suffering abuse, harm and being neglected in orphanages and institutions around the world.

Feature Picture Credits: Robotbutt.com

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