New Delhi: Delhi government is devising comprehensive awareness modules to prevent child abuse, especially sexual abuse. The awareness modules are not only meant for children but also for the parents, teachers and other care givers in Homes where children in need of care and protection are lodged.
"Though there are laws in place it is imperative to work at the prevention level by creating a culture of prevention of child abuse at home, in school and form a partnership network to raise awareness, mobilise public opinion and action, and disseminate prevention programs since child abuse is a national tragedy, affecting millions of children and families every year," said Dr. Satbir Bedi, Principal Secretary (Women and Child Development) Bedi said that awareness, education, and responsible parenting and teaching give a child, the best tools for her or his defense-and the child may be more likely to tell an adult if something happens.
"It is all the more important to teach the children to say, "Stop it," to instructions, requests or demands that make them uncomfortable, even if they think they should obey," said Bedi.
According to the findings of a study done by the Women and Child Development Ministry in 2007, over 85 per cent of the offenders were known to the children and among the abused children, only 25 percent had told anyone. "Many cases of child abuse can be averted if adequate prevention policies and measures are established as studies show that most people who abuse children are known to the victims," said Bedi.
Bedi said that the Department is examining the best practices and awareness material addressing the issue of prevention of child abuse brought out by government, independent institutions, and civil society at a national level. Efforts are underway to put together awareness modules in close consultation with experts from diverse fields namely, NCPCR, DCPCR, Directorate of Education from the Government sector and civil society and academia represented by some key organizations namely Save the Children, Butterflies and Rahi from Delhi, Arpan from Mumbai, Enfold from Bangalore and Tata Institute of Social Sciences from Mumbai.
One day of brainstorming exercise titled 'Stay Safe - Prevention - Educating Children' will be also held on Sep 11 to finalize the process of developing a compendium of awareness modules. The module for 5-8 years age group for instance, would describe examples of positive and harmful practices, define sexual abuse, would stress on personal safety and teach children about good touch and bad touch.
The module for 9-12 years age group would explain forced sexual activity, sexual abuse and its prevention; understanding their bodies' changing physiology, and needs, among others. Need of assertiveness and refusal skills to resist sexual abuse and gender-based violence would be stressed upon, explained Bedi.
The module for 12-18 years would empower them with legal provisions among other things. Training Module for Housefathers, Housemothers, Caregivers and Welfare Officers (Points of first contact in government run Homes/NGO run Homes) would make them aware of the symptoms of abuse or neglect among children, Bedi added.
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