#ourvoix stopchildabuse
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Every second child is a victim of child sexual abuse.
A survey conducted revealed that one in every two children is a victim of child sexual abuse. According to the report on crimes in India for 2016, 106,958 cases of crimes against children were recorded in 2016. Of these, 36,022 cases were recorded under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. Child sexual abuse can result in both short-term and long-term harm, including physical and psychological problems in later life. Indicators and effects include depression , anxiety , behavioural problems difficulty is adjustments, social aloofness and other extreme behaviors. We live in a society which gives little importance to the opinions and problems of the young ones and focuses more on building strong kin networks. And surprising in 50% of the cases the culprit is a known person. There is a constant fear in children and parents who don’t know what to do if their child tells them about this which takes us back to lack of knowledge on child sexual abuse. Our voix is an organization which works to prevent child sexual abuse. I am currently interning with this organization, where we conduct workshops for children and for parents making them aware about what child sexual abuse is and how to prevent child sexual abuse from taking place and the aftermath. Our voix conducts workshop is different orphanages, slums , anganwadi and shelter homes. The volunteers and the interns are trained how to conduct workshops and develop modules which would help the children build confidence and self esteem. My first workshop was in katyayani nirashrit balika ashram which was near jhandewalan metro station. We were welcomed by a bunch of 70 girls or different age groups. We worked with the elder ones while the youngers ones were in the other room. The workshop started with ice breakers which included a type of Simon says where the children had to do the opposite of what is being done, then we moved on to play fire in the mountain which filled the room with laughter and fun. They children got divided into groups of 5 with 7 members in each group including a volunteer. They were made to sit down and asked them their names, their favorite dish, their favorite movie and also decided on a group names. My groups name was “angels” . The session started where the children were shown body parts and were asked to name them , we later moved forward and talked about private parts and told them about the 4 private parts. Good touch and bad touch which are very important in sexual abuse was taught to them.We showed them pictures and asked them to identify which was good touch and which was bad touch. After teacher them the difference in touches we taught them what to do when someone try’s to touch you and you’re not comfortable to which the children gave answers like “hum unko mukka marengay” “haath kaat dengay” “laat maar dengay” “main point me marengay”. The basic steps of safety was taught to them first to shout nahiiiii or no. Secondly to run to a safe place, thirdly to tell a trusted adult and fourthly to call in the child helpline number 1098. These steps were reinforced by making them repeat it again and again. Through a story the children were taught that if they have been touched inappropriately then they HAVE TO tell everyone until they listen and if no one listens then to call the child helpline number. The children were again made to sit in their groups and were given sheets and coloring material which we were carrying. The names if children in the group were noted down in chit and they had to make a card for the person who’s name they got on the chit. The children showed enthusiasm in making cards. During this time the volunteers spoke to the children and reinforced what was earlier taught in the session. Many if the children also told stories about how they had seen some touch their friends or sister inappropriately and what they did. When we ended the session the children came up to me and gave me handmade cards with sweet messages like “di aap acchi ho” and “aate rahi accha lgta hai”. We also interacted with them were they told us that they would want to become dancers and singers and wanted to know from me what I was doing and what I wanted to become. Watching these girls speak of their dreams I too learnt how to dream big and seeing their motivation to work towards their goals inspite of the obstacles on their way. We left the place with bright smiles and warm hugs and with hope in their eyes to meet us again.
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