W,A.R EXCLUSIVE: BACK TO SCHOOL – How To Protect Your Child From Sexual Abuse!

It is that time of the year again when students start heading back to school and sadly, when most parents/guardians become panicky over the safety of their children/wards owing to the fact that they are more exposed to dangers – like child rape or sexual abuse – from mates and grownups.

 

 

Irrefutably, these fears arise from the high rate of cases of child sexual abuse in Nigeria, however, such parents should calm down and ‘arm’ themselves and kids with these ‘safety tips’ on ‘how to protect kids from sexual abuse’ though there is no sure way of preventing these kids from sexual abuse, but this tips would really lend a hand.

1.        Break the ‘prude shell (religiousness)’ and talk with your kids about sexuality and sexual abuse in age-appropriate terms (note: “talk with”, not “talk to” – talk with is to “have a heart-to-heart discussion with them” while talk to is to “instruct them without listening to their opinions”). 
2.  Let it be a ‘without limit’ kind of talk and discuss openly with them about sexuality as it affects them - imprint it on them that they are always ‘free’ to talk with you when they have questions on ‘sexuality’ or other issues. 
3.  Teach them the ‘real names’ and ‘coded names’ of their body parts (like most parents call the ‘part’ of their male kids “peepee’’) so that they know how to ask questions and express concerns about those body parts. 
4.  Reveal to them that some parts of their bodies are “very private” and that other people should not touch, look or play with these “very private” parts unless they (medical personnel) need to touch them to provide care. 
5.  Influence them to always alert you if someone tries to touch those private areas or wants to look at them or if someone tries to show the child their own private parts, they should tell a trusted adult as soon as possible.

This is an excerpt from ‘Breaking the Silence’ - there are more useful tips and information on “how to protect your kids from sexual abuse at school, home or anywhere). It was written by Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye with the forward written by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, member of the Federal House of Representatives and currently, Chairman of House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

The book has been endorsed by the Lagos State Deputy Governor.

For more information on this book sale, or for information on how to support the C. A. R. E (College Acquaintance Rape Education) Project by donating copies of  this book to schools, please call any of these numbers: 0806 865 3263, 0805 786 1285, 08102 678 442.