Learning to challenge child sexual abuse with the students of Government School

“If something happens, bad touch or something like that, I will inform you. You are my trusted adult”

The rampant rise in the cases of child sexual abuse is alarming during COVID-19 and it becomes even more imperative to reach out to young kids and build understanding on what good touch and bad touch is and they can say NO to any touch which they feel is inappropriate.

With this objective, we conducted our fourth session on child sexual abuse with the adolescent students of Government school. The workshop began with the screening of short film ‘Komal’ by child line following a brief discussion around the video. It was beautiful to see how one of the participants narrated the entire story with the main crux of it.

This was followed by a presentation that dwelled elaborately on child sexual abuse beyond the concept of good touch and bad touch; various acts that come under child sexual abuse along with debunking many myths associated with CSA. One of the common myth being only girls are sexually abused and most of the abusers are men. Since this was all boys group, it was very important to emphasis that inappropriate touch can happen to anyone irrespective of their gender or sexual identities.

Following this we also build an understanding on POCSO Act 2012 so that they are well aware of the law that favors them, protects them and they can seek help of a trusted adult in times of crisis.

The next part of the workshop was extremely crucial, it is one thing to see the film and witness how a child can ask for help but it is another thing to seek help if the same things to oneself. ‘What can I do if someone touches me inappropriately?’ – We rehearsed three steps of challenging CSA again and again so that it is memorized and they would be okay to ask for help.

To create a safety action plan, we dwelled on who could be our trusted adult – who could that be person whom you can reach out to for support if you need help, who would listen to you and can take necessary action. The first answer mostly is ‘I have a friend’ and from here the discourse is build. Finally we prepare a list of people who could be counted as trusted adult. One of the most beautiful sharing from this session was when one of the participants counted as trusted adults. It’s a huge responsibility and at the same time it’s a moment of joy for us. To be able to build a safe space for adolescents while working on ground face to face is relatively easier and more personal but we are so glad that we could create safe space on a digital platform too! When a child feels safe, happy, included, curious enough to ask questions and share things with you – I guess that’s where we believe that our work is accomplished!

Another important thing we practiced was to say NO aloud many times! Though one would think why would boys need to do this? Because they are also vulnerable to child sexual abuse and secondly they too need to learn to challenge CSA. With beautiful smiles, content sighs and friendly gestures we closed the session.