How To Protect Your Child

Children need to be taught what constitutes sexual abuse. A child needs a comfortableand free atmosphere at home to be able to speak up, especially if the abuse takes placewithin the family. Parents need to:

• Make children comfortable with their body and not ashamed of it. Teach them names of body parts such as breast, vagina, penis and anus in simple terms to enable them to express what they experience.
• Make children understand their right over their body. Teach them the difference between good and bad touches and how to say ‘no’ to adults whose touch makes them uncomfortable, particularly if the adult wants them to touch their private parts.
• Be alert to behavioural changes; believe what your child tells you.
• Keep tabs on adults paying undue attention to your child.

If your child complains of abuse

DON’T panic or overreact at the disclosure. Don’t say or do anything thatmakes the child feel guilty. The child may carry the sense of guilt for life and thiswould impede the healing process. Criticising or scolding the child is not only the worstthing to do, it would impair your ability to help.

DO encourage the child to speak out and explain that she/he has done no wrong and theabuser alone is to blame. Children seldom lie about sexual abuse perpetrated on them.Sympathy, understanding and optimism help in making additional disclosures. Get a doctorto examine the child for physical injury. Consider counselling/therapy for the child.Reinforce the child’s understanding of right and wrong even if it is not possible totake a stand against the abuser.

Source: Sakshi, B 67 NDSE Part I, New Delhi 49; telephone: 4643946