Withtheincreasingincidentsofsexualabuseandfatalincidentswithchildren,itistimeyoutalktoyourchildaboutthismatterandeducateherorhim.Readontolearnabouthowtoteachchildrenaboutgoodtouchandbadtouch.Weoftenhearinthenews,storiesofsexualabuseofchildrenanditisobvioustheymakeyoufearyourchild’ssafety.Well,sexualabuseofchildrenistherealitytodayandthebestwaytokeepyourchildrensafeistoteachthemaboutwhatisgoodforthemandwhatisnot.Remember,thebasicsafetyruleistheruleofprotection.Teachyourchildabouttheserulesandsincetheyaresimpleandunderstandable,evenchildrenof3–4yearswouldbeabletosavethemselves.Theonlythingisthatyouneedtotaketheinitiativeandexplaintoyourchildrenindividuallyaboutgoodtouchandbadtouch.InthisarticleHowtoStarttheConversationWhatisBadTouch?WhatShouldTheyDo?ImportantPointtoRememberProblemsFacedDuringConversationHowtoStarttheConversationItisadvisabletohaveone-to-oneconversationwithyourchild.Donotpanicormakeyourchildnervous.Yousimplyneedtomakeyourchildalert,moreconfidentandtohaveasenseofsafety.So,eventhoughusingwordslikesexualabusebringinachillinyourspine,itisveryimportanttousetherighttermsothatyourchildiscapableofexplainingtheexactconditioninfrontofanyreliableadult.WhatisBadTouch?Tellyourchildrenthatthetouchonbodyparts–chestorbreast,bottomorbuttocksandtheareabetweentheirlegsisprohibited.Thesearethebodypartswhichnobodyisallowedtotouch.Also,ifsomeonetouchesthemthatmakesthemfeelconfusedoruncomfortableandthepersonasksthemnottotellanyoneaboutit,itisabadtouch.Clarifytoyourkidsthatbadtouchcanalsohappenwiththeirclotheson.WhatShouldTheyDo?Ifsomethingunusualhappensthatmakesthechilduncomfortable,sheorheshouldimmediatelytellhisorherparentsorsomeonesheorhetrusts.Childrenshouldbetaughttosay‘no’toanysuchinvitationofferedbyadults.Remember,makingyourchildrenawareofsafetyismoreimportantthanteachingthemmanners.Ifanysuchthinghappensinschool,childrenshouldimmediatelygototheprincipalandmakethecomplaint.ImportantPointtoRememberTeachingyourchildonceisnotenough.Ifyourchildisveryyoung,youshouldrepeatthisteachinginamonthortwoandafterwardsyoucanrepeatineverysixmonthsaswell.Thisisveryimportantandworksastheboosterdoseofvaccinesdo.ProblemsFacedDuringConversationSinceyourchildisveryyoung,sheorhemayaskfewquestions.Makesureyougiveaconcreteanswertothem.Someoftheexamplesare–1.Whyareyoutellingmethis?–Becauseitistokeepyousafefrompeoplewhomayharmyou.2.Whatifotherkidstouchprohibitedbodyparts?–Touchingaccidentlywhileplayingisokay,butifanykidtouchesyouagainandagain,youshouldletmeknow.3.Ifthereisanyotherquestionthatyouthinkmakesyouuncomfortableanswering,donotavoidyourchild.Trytoansweryourchild’squestioninanage-appropriatemanner.Oneofthemostimportantthingsistohaveastrongbondingwithyourchild.Nomatterwhathappens,yourchildshouldnotbeafraidcomingtoyougivingthedetailsoftheincidentconfidently.Remember,theentireconversationisaboutkeepingyourchildrensafe.Keepitassimpleasyoudidwhenteachingthemabouthandlingfireorknifeorcrossingtheroad.Howtoteachchildrenthedifferencebetweengoodtouchandbadtouch?Whatarethewaystopreventsexualabuseinchildren?Whatarethecausesofsexualabuseinchildren?Discusshere.
With the increasing incidents of sexual abuse and fatal incidents with children, it is time you talk to your child about this matter and educate her or him. Read on to learn about how to teach children about good touch and bad touch. We often hear in the news, stories of sexual abuse of children and it is obvious they make you fear your
child’s safety. Well, sexual abuse of children is the reality today and the best way to keep your children safe is to teach them about what is good for them and what is not.
Remember, the basic safety rule is the rule of protection. Teach your child about these rules and since they are simple and understandable, even children of 3 – 4 years would be able to save themselves. The only thing is that you need to take the initiative and explain to your children individually about good touch and bad touch.
How to Start the Conversation
It is advisable to have one-to-one conversation with your child. Do not panic or make your child nervous. You simply need to make your child alert, more confident and to have a
sense of safety. So, even though using words like
sexual abuse bring in a chill in your spine, it is very important to use the right term so that your child is capable of explaining the exact condition in front of any reliable adult.
What is Bad Touch?
Tell your children that the touch on body parts – chest or breast, bottom or buttocks and the area between their legs is prohibited. These are the body parts which nobody is allowed to touch. Also, if someone touches them that makes them feel confused or uncomfortable and the person asks them not to tell anyone about it, it is a bad touch. Clarify to your kids that bad touch can also happen with their clothes on.
What Should They Do?
If something unusual happens that makes the child uncomfortable, she or he should immediately tell his or her parents or someone she or he trusts. Children should be taught to say ‘no’ to any such invitation offered by adults. Remember, making your children aware of safety is more important than teaching them manners. If any such thing happens in school, children should immediately go to the principal and make the complaint.
Important Point to Remember
Teaching your child once is not enough. If your child is very young, you should repeat this teaching in a month or two and afterwards you can repeat in every six months as well. This is very important and works as the booster dose of vaccines do.
Problems Faced During Conversation
Since your child is very young, she or he may ask few questions. Make sure you give a concrete answer to them. Some of the examples are –
1. Why are you telling me this? – Because it is to keep you safe from people who may harm you.
2. What if other kids touch prohibited body parts? – Touching accidently while playing is okay, but if any kid touches you again and again, you should let me know.
3. If there is any other question that you think makes you uncomfortable answering, do not avoid your child. Try to answer your child’s question in an age-appropriate manner.
One of the most important things is to have a strong bonding with your child. No matter what happens, your child should not be afraid coming to you giving
the details of the incident confidently. Remember, the entire conversation is about keeping your children safe. Keep it as simple as you did when teaching them about handling fire or knife or crossing the
road.
How to teach children the difference between good touch and bad touch? What are the ways to prevent sexual abuse in children? What are the causes of sexual abuse in children? Discuss here.
