Faridabad/ Alive News : A seminar on the topic “Good-Touch Bad-Touch was conducted at Shiksha Bharti Public School, Pali-Sohna Road Road, Faridabad to aware the young Children specifically Girl Child about Good Touch and Bad Touch. Rennu Bhatia, Hob’ble Member of Haryana State Commission for Women was the Speaker and she explained the Touches in details.
Rennu Bhatia said that in today’s times, we hear a lot about child abuse and molestation. It’s high time, we start teaching young children about “Good Touch Bad Touch” to help prevent more damage. Most of the time, very young children as below 6-7 years of age are targeted. They are too young to understand the difference between right and wrong. Every single day, the media reports such cases where young children, both boys and girls, are sexually abused by an adult around them. The problem is that they do not even know what is happening.
She added that it is still a sensitive topic for parents to talk to their children, so most of them do not want to go there. The same goes for schools as well. At times, we hesitate to take up and speak on sensitive topics. But, the fact remains that it is very important for the betterment of our young children that they know about all this and can deal with it if they ever come across a situation like this.
Bhatia explained the word Good Touch and Bad Touch to children by giving a number of examples. By explaining the word Good Touch she said that it feels, pleasant and good, it is a way to show care, love and help. She gave example, when mommy hugs you or papa gives you a goodnight kiss or your grandparents hold you in their arms and you hold your friend’s hands while playing.
While Bad Touches that make you uncomfortable and you feel unpleasant and you want to stop it there and then. Again, using some examples to explain them like, it is a bad touch if you feel hurt, if you do not want to be touched, if someone touches your private parts without a reason, if someone touches you and tells you not to tell anyone, all these are examples of a bad touch.
She advised the parents to spend quality time with their children. Listen to them when they are sharing about what they did during the day. Assure them that they can share anything with you.
She said that our job is not done yet. Alerting children is not enough, we have to teach them what to do if ever face a situation like this. She told that children to follow three simple things. (i) If someone touches you in a way that you do not like, say NO. It’s your body and no one can touch in a way that you do not like or that makes you uncomfortable. (ii) Get away from that place as fast as you can. Try not to be alone with that person in the future. (iii) Immediately call for help, go to a trustworthy person like your parents or your teacher and tell them everything that happened. You can scream for help if you do not have your elders nearby.
On the occasion, Susheel Gera, Principal of the school pays her gratitude to Rennu Bhatia for giving her valuable time and educates the children about sensitive topic. She said it will be very helpful to children to help themselves. Susheel Gera said all of us want our children to be safe and secure and want to give them the best. We want to protect them against all odds. Our children come in contact with many people every day and there are good and bad people around them.
So, it becomes our responsibility to sensitize them, equip them so that they are ready to face and handle any odd situation or person coming their way. She added, let’s join hands to make this world a better and safer place for our young generation. Although many children this age tend to tell stories, it is vital that as a teacher, we support them, and believe them. They need to know they can trust us, and that we will protect them.
