THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL AND EFFECTIVE TOOL TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM GETTING ABUSED SEXUALLY
FACILITATING GOOD TOUCH AND BAD TOUCH WORKSHOP
Binju Baral
Child sexual abuse is one of the most sensitive issue in our community. The cases of child sexual abuse has increased dramatically over the past decade. Unfortunately, children are found to be abused by relatives and acquaintances in 90% cases. Touch is the prior tool paedophile uses to abuse children. If the children are taught to distinguish between various types of touches and how to react through well structured program, abuses can be prevented effectively. We can organize awareness raising campaign against child sexual abuse through rallies, street drama, orientation classes on violence etc.
The most effective way is to train teachers about various aspects of child sexual abuse as they have imparted most of their time for the children. They are close to them and have deep impact in kids upbringing. The teachers can be prepared for delivering sessions on good touch and bad touch by the experts so that they can teach their children about the touches . Educating children about their sensitive body parts and sharing definitions of good and bad type of touches is necessary. We can conduct few demonstrations as well while conducting sessions because visual learning seems to be more effective using person, dummy or pictures.
Sometimes, the stories by facilitator of their own or some imaginary yet practical examples can also be shared to make children clear about the situations in which bad touch can occur. Facilitator has to be very aware about the fact that some children may have been through such touch .So, before delivering sessions, facilitator should ask permission and if its relevant to somebody than its just a coincidence. There should be excessive knowledge with facilitator about scenario in which bad touch can be felt by children.
After educating about good and bad touch, facilitator should also start a complain hearing mechanism discussion which will help in identifying problems in school and then resolve accordingly. Making use of “complain box “to drop issues synonymously could be one of the best strategy in school to address problems on bad touch and child sexual abuse.
Some self defense techniques can be shared to children as well for being protected from abusive behavior by people. Video related to abuse and way to resolve those issues can be shown in projector as well. “Komal” named video is one of the best video to show to children.
Short term and long term impact should also be shared and clearly explained to children while delivering sessions on good and bad touch. Mental problems, physical problems and social problems should be shared to the children. Information should be shared according to their age group because too small children may not be able to understand about concept of abuse and its impact.
Parents should be educated as well regarding good and bad touch because abuse can occur anywhere like in home, public places, friend and relative house, etc. so parents should be taught to be friendly and concerned with their children about bad touch and touch talk in their house.
In this way sessions on good touch and bad touch for reducing child sexual abuse can be implemented by the person who is well trained by experts in workshop, events or orientation programs.
SKETCH NEPAL 