“Protect Innocence: The Vital Step Every Parent Must Take to Safeguard Children”
One of the most crucial lessons for children is understanding the difference between a “good touch” and a “bad touch.” These concepts empower children to protect themselves, recognize inappropriate behavior, and seek help when needed. Ensuring a child’s safety is every parent and caregiver’s primary responsibility.
Childhood is every child’s birthright, and it is our collective duty to ensure it remains safe and joyful. Traumatic incidents can leave deep scars on a child’s tender mind, negatively impacting their future. Therefore, both children and parents must be aware of how to maintain a safe environment. Teaching children about good and bad touch should be a priority for parents and educators.
The Shocking Global Reality of Child Abuse
A report published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, revealed that in 2015, nearly one billion children aged 2–17 worldwide suffered physical or emotional abuse.
In Australia, the Bureau of Statistics found that 85% of child sexual abuse cases involved perpetrators known to the victim—family members, relatives, or acquaintances.
Alarming Rates of Child Abuse in Bangladesh
According to the Bangladesh Child Rights Forum, 1,383 children faced sexual abuse in 2019—a 76% increase from the previous year. However, the actual numbers could be far worse, as most children never report abuse.
A BRAC blog post highlighted that 75% of children never disclose harassment or assault due to:
- Shame and fear
- Lack of clarity about private body parts
- Inability to distinguish between good and bad touch
- Threats from abusers
Good Touch vs. Bad Touch: How to Teach Children
UNICEF’s Keeping My Body Safe booklet categorizes touch into three types:
- Good Touch – Brings comfort and joy, such as:
- A pat on the back for encouragement
- A gentle hug from a parent
- A friendly handshake
- Unsafe Touch – Causes physical or emotional pain, such as:
- Hitting, slapping, or yelling
- Bad Touch – Makes a child uncomfortable or scared, such as:
- Touching private areas (covered by clothing)
- Forced hugs or kisses
- Secret touching with warnings not to tell
Bad touch can cause long-term emotional harm, leading to confusion, fear, or guilt.
How to Educate Children About Safe and Unsafe Touch
- Use Simple Language – Teach them that their body belongs to them, and they have the right to say “NO.”
- Name Private Body Parts Correctly – Helps them communicate clearly if something wrong happens.
- Role-Playing Scenarios – Practice responses like, “Stop! I don’t like this!”
- Identify Trusted Adults – Ensure they know whom to approach (parents, teachers, counselors).
- Encourage Open Conversations – Create a safe space for them to share without fear.
Warning Signs a Child May Be a Victim
- Sudden fear, anxiety, or withdrawal
- Changes in eating/sleeping habits
- Regression (bedwetting, thumb-sucking)
- Avoiding specific people
What to Do If a Child Reports Abuse
- Stay Calm – Reassure them they’re safe.
- Listen Without Judgment – Let them explain in their own words.
- Report Immediately – Contact child protection authorities.
- Seek Professional Help – Counseling aids emotional recovery.
- Take Legal Action – Ensure the abuser faces consequences.
Creating a Safe Environment
- Set clear boundaries at home and school.
- Conduct awareness programs in schools.
- Monitor children’s interactions with adults.
Conclusion
Teaching children about good and bad touch is essential for their safety. Open discussions, awareness, and proactive measures help build confidence and security. Parents, teachers, and society must work together to create a safe world where children can grow without fear.
Our children are the future—let’s protect their innocence today.
Date: March 25, 2025
Author: Nafis Sadique Shatil
Editor & Publisher, MinorityWatch
এই আর্টিকেলটি বাংলায় পড়তে চাইলে এখানে ক্লিক করুন
Read more news in this category
