NPSC workshop

Bal Bharati Public School, Rohini, under the aegis of the National Progressive Schools Conference organized a workshop for Primary Teachers on ' Child Sexual Abuse: Awareness and Prevention' on 14 February, 2014. 120 teachers from 60 schools of Delhi participated in this workshop which was an endeavour to sensitize primary teachers on the various aspects of child sexual abuse so that they are equipped to spread awareness and guide the children.

We are aware that the problem is a universal one, affecting millions of children across the world. The abuse suffered by a child not only leaves a lifelong scar on his/ her mind but also shatters his faith in the world around him. It, therefore, becomes extremely pertinent in todays scenario to educate young children in this direction and make them aware and informed, so that they learn to keep themselves safe in all situations. The resource persons for this workshop were - 1. Dr. Rima Sehgal, ( Fulbright Fellow and Consultant Psychologist ) 2. Mr. Kishore Jha , Programme Co-ordinator, Terre des hommes, Germany, India Programme. 3. Mr. Vikram Srivastava, Founder, Independent Thought. Dr. Rima Sehgal and Mr. Kishore Jha informed the teachers that studies on Who commits child sexual abuse vary in their findings. But the most common finding is that the majority of sexual offenders are family members or are, otherwise, known to the child. Dr. Sehgal and Mr. Jha informed the teachers of the appalling fact that children and adolescents who have been sexually abused can suffer a range of psychological and behavioural problems, from mild to severe, in both the short and long terms. These problems typically include depression, anxiety, guilt, fear, sexual-dysfunction, withdrawal, and acting- out. Depending on the severity of the incident, victims of sexual abuse may also develop fear and anxiety regarding the opposite sex or sexual issues and may display inappropriate sexual behavior. Some useful advice given by the counsellors through videos and lectures was - Teach your children basic sexual education. Teach them that no one should touch the private parts of their bodies. A health professional can also help to communicate sex education to children if parents are uncomfortable. Develop strong communication skills with your children. Encourage them to ask questions and talk about their experiences. Explain the importance of reporting abuse to you or another trusted adult. Teach your children that sexual advances from adults are wrong and against the law. Give them the confidence to assert themselves against any adult who attempts to abuse them. Make an effort to know your children's friends and their families. Instruct your child to never get into a car with anyone without your permission. Teach your children that their bodies are their own. That it is okay to say they do not want a hug or that certain kinds of contact make them uncomfortable. All the three resource persons stressed that it is crucial for parents and teachers to always ' be there' for their children. Discussing how the impact of CSA differs on the basis of the severity, identity, duration and age at which abuse takes place, Dr. Sehgal clarified questions of the teachers with regard to a childs feelings of guilt, shame, betrayal, powerlessness and helplessness. Mr.Vikam Srivastava acquainted the teachers with POSCO or The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. This law has been drafted to strengthen legal provisions for the protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation. For the first time, a special law has been passed to address the issue of sexual offences against children. Dr. Rima emphasized the role that a teacher plays in a childs life and quoted Forest Witcraft A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child. At the end, what we learned and concluded was that Child Abuse is a burning issue which needs our immediate attention. A fuller discussion on it at all levels, for what it is and why it is detrimental, accompanied by necessary legal, political and social changes is imperative. The development of a support network for victims and a system to undertake preventive work with parents, in combination with legal penalties must become a mission for us, custodians of young children. By Ms. Gitanjali Verma and Ms. Neelima Sharma.