Protect Your Young Child From Abuse

Childhood is one of the most intriguing and fascinating times of our lives. This is the time when everything around seems so interesting, new and mesmerizing. It should not be marred by instances such as abuse. Alertness and sensitivity in parents will go a long way in shielding the young child from abuse. Read on.

Rise in Reporting

It is encouraging to note that there has been a rise in reporting incidents of sexual abuse clearly indicating that adults are taking responsibility of standing up to the perpetrator. It is time we realize that child sexual abuse existed and continues to exist because of the silence around sexuality and social stigma around it. It is high time we collectively take a stand and understand our roles and responsibilities as adults, to help pre-empt and manage child sexual abuse.

Safe Pre-school Or Day Care – What To Look For 

Although most perpetrators are male, women also abuse children. Recruiting only women staff does not guarantee sexual safety. Parents can check if the pre-school or daycare does a background check of staff before recruitment - it is useful to ensure that the institution has the necessary protocol set for the safety of children. One aspect is that the institution should take efforts to equip and encourage children and adults to recognise and report perpetrators of abuse; and take appropriate steps when an incident is reported. This is a more robust method than ensuring that CCTV cameras are present across the premise of the school. Considering the profile of most abusers, the chances of them committing the act in front of the camera is very remote and it does nothing to preempt or prevent the act. Also, these cameras have blind spots and cannot pick subtle hints from gestures and actions like a human eye would.

The Department of Women and Child Development of Karnataka has been able to get the cabinet’s nod for the Child Protection Policy (CPP) that was drafted through several public consultations which included individuals and organizations working in the space of child safety. It mandates every school to:

Adopt a CPP, and have a Child Protection Committee and a Child Protection Officer.