How would you educate a child to guard against molestation?
@allknowing (153530)
India
September 16, 2012 2:59am CST
There have been reports about close family members molesting kids. A child will never understand that it is wrong specially when she is showered with gifts and she likes what she experiences.
How would you go about educating a child to guard against molestation specially if the molester is a close member of the family?
3 responses
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
16 Sep 12
You bet, I never understood it. Actually part of the responsibility rests with the parent. If the parent tries to exhibit he or she is too stern, or if the child seems helpless in some way, or incommunicado in some way, pedophiles step in. Sometimes parents take it for granted that their child is pretty and cute and therefore, people have only gentle emotions for the child. They couldnt be far from the truth. As far as possible the child should be kept close within the family. And if for some reason, it is not possible to do that physically, then attempt should be made to ensure that a reliable family member is always around to supervise, maid, driver, uncle, who so ever. I saw my cousin being molested no raped by our maid servant. Poor guy, even he didnt know what it was.
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
16 Sep 12
Aamir khan held a program. I think you should have seen it. But I think mostly, it is the parents that need educating. They are so enamoured about their child that they quite forget that others do not have similar love for their kid. The concept that all children are beautiful is only on paper like all Indians are my brothers and sisters. Any sign of vulnerability of the child makes the pedophile take advantage. And Pedophiles always are around children.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
17 Sep 12
A child should be educated about what is a normal touch and what is inappropriate. A child should be educated to report anything which is found to be inappropriate no matter who does it. I repeat vandana. No matter who does it because sometimes it is those who live with the child that do it!
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
17 Sep 12
It is difficult for a child to differentiate allknowing. When a child is young all of us are almost touching it all over. Even right up to the time when the child starts bathing himself or herself. The difference can be understood only after others stop touching the child..others including mother. Since the child does not know the difference any adult doing anything does not seem abnormal to it. It is much later when the things start falling in place that the guilt starts coming up for some sin that the child didnt commit!
We can educate slightly grown up kids, how do you educate children who ar under six? In the hostel they gave me bath till I was in second standard. That would seven and a half or so.
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
20 Sep 12
It´s not easy. But one thing that you must teach a child is not to have secrets. Molesters usually will tell the child not to tell this or that to his anyone. Thus, if a child is raised believing that things must be said, it is less likely that he will be abused. I would be on the lookout for anyone (even members of the family) who give the child too many presents or sweets.
@marguicha (230350)
• Chile
20 Sep 12
It´s difficult sometimes, friend. And many times, we don´t find appropiate words to explain something to our kids. One of the family stories is that once, when my daughters were small, they found and opened a tampon. They wanted to know what it was for and I tried to explain. Several years later they told me that they understood that it was something you placed on your armpit
@allknowing (153530)
• India
20 Sep 12
We have come a long way in having less inhibitions when it comes to interaction with kids today. Your suggestions if implemented could pave the way towards having a cleaner and healthier society.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
20 Sep 12
I wonder what was told to your daughter explaining the use of the tampon!!
I still feel, the situation, when it comes to having an open conversation with today's kids is not as bad as it used to be when I was a kid. Everything was hush hush. Today the tv too tells it all.
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
18 Sep 12
I think you need to explain to your kids but be careful with the words you will be using. This should be appropriate to their age. Just tell them that even they are threatened, which is the most common ways of suspects to scare kids, they should tell all to you as their parents.
I think frequent conversation with your kids is most important.
@allknowing (153530)
• India
19 Sep 12
The thought that a child is safe with a close member of the family needs rethinking and this with educating the child using appropriate words as you have put it will go a long way in atleast reducing these crimes.
