A hard reality facing parents in today’s day and age is the safety of their children. There is growing concern about the increasing number of incidents of child abuse. Given the number of ways children become vulnerable to such occurrences, it is extremely important to educate them -about various areas. For example:
Good touch v/s Bad touch
An important step in arming children against potential dangers is by talking to them about physical attributes such as touch. A child can be explained the difference between what constitutes acceptable and non-acceptable gestures from family members, friends, teachers, etc. Not only is this exercise beneficial in preparing them to be more alert, but also in voicing out their concerns if they feel any danger.
The following features can help describe “good” touch:
Important information regarding “bad” touch can include the following:
Insist on letting your child know that they will not be scolded or ignored if they happen to report any such incident which made them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. More importantly, use the correct names of body parts with them while you educate them about such a phenomenon. This helps in making things clearer for the child in case they want to share something with their parents. It further allows them to understand the importance of privacy of body areas and no one being allowed to touch them in those areas without their permission (not even their parents).
Stranger Danger and More
Yes, being aware of strangers around them is highly beneficial for your children in ways such as:
However, talking about people other than strangers is equally important. Experts have pointed out that most incidents related to child abuse happen in familiar places and are committed by adults known to the child. Therefore, provide additional information to your children. When explaining steps for their safety use words like “anybody” and not just “strangers”.
Additional Resources
Additional steps to ensure your child’s safety include:
Parenting is a challenging task by any means. However, keeping open communication with your children at all times can definitely make things easier for them and you.
