Unfortunately, the abandonment of babies is something that continues to be news around the world. The places destined to the abandonment of babies are highly criticized, as many believe that it is a way of promoting that parents can easily get rid of their children.
Corvia, a Belgian NGO, has just finally received authorization to install the first mailbox to abandon newborns anonymously in Brussels .
They intended to install it on September 21, 2017, but the previous mayor banned it that same day. Then, the NGO initiated a procedure in the Council of State to annul that decision, arguing that it did not encourage the abandonment of minors but “offered a possibility to mothers to leave their child safely.”
Justice ruled in favor of the association and three years later, the association has been authorized to install the mailbox in the Evere district, where parents can renounce their child anonymously.
Corvia spokeswoman Mathilde Pelsers said “We congratulate ourselves, because every child should have the right to a future.” The intention is for the service to be available in early October.
Before criticism for encouraging the abandonment of babies, the NGO defends:
“Corvia does not want to incite child abandonment at all, but wants to offer mothers who desperately want to leave their newborn behind, giving them the possibility of putting their children in a safe place.”
How does the baby mailbox work?
According to the NGO’s website, the mother – assuming she is the one who leaves the baby – only has to push the green door. Once opened, inside you will find a heated crib to put the baby in.
Next to the crib, there will be an envelope inside which is a unique piece of a puzzle, which you can keep and will allow you to identify your child later if she wishes . If you prefer, you also have the option of leaving your details. Parents can reconsider their decision within two months.
Once the baby is deposited and the door closed, it is locked. Once the person has left, an alarm immediately notifies that the crib is occupied so that someone can assist the baby. A doctor is contacted to check his health and the authorities are notified. It is available anytime, seven days a week.
At least they are safe
The objective of the NGO is, on the one hand, to make known to mothers and fathers who have problems raising their children, of the existence of these abandonment cradles, which guarantee care for the baby and the anonymity of those who deliver it. . And on the other, that the baby is at least abandoned in a place where it is not in danger , such as a garbage container, or in the open in the street.
Without a doubt, it is a very complex matter that breaks our hearts, but at the same time it is a very harsh reality and at least that way babies have a safe place.
This practice is only approved in some countries such as Baby Boxes in Germany, Belgium, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland, Italy, South Africa, Japan or Hungary, there are also cribs in India or cabins in Rome. In Belgium it has been operating for years; the first baby box in that country was installed in Antwerp 20 years ago.
Vía | The evening
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