Kids must be encouraged to talk freely

I think those days should be left behind when parents don't get socialize with their kids. Today due to busy lifestyle of parents is increasingly giving offenders chances to victimise children. The cases of sexual offences taking place with our children are increased.

Please check the below nod from education times, for parents highlighting the importance of socializing with their kids :

-- Source of Information : educationtimes.com --

For parents

City psychiatrists say the steady increase in child sex abuse cases has brought to light the importance of training children about the difference between ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’. Parents particularly need to communicate with kids every day so they can feel free to say anything they consider unusual.

“One can’t trust strangers anymore and this is the first thing a child should be taught. Don’t ask kids to respect and follow the advice of all adults,” said Dr Harish Shetty. He added that the busy lifestyle of parents is increasingly giving offenders chances to victimise children. “Regular interaction with children is very important and parents should always take statements made by children seriously, unless proved otherwise,” Shetty said.

With a number of sexual offences taking place at schools, psychiatrists say, it is important for parents to stay in touch with school authorities. “Parents should know who their kids interact with on a daily basis. They should regularly go to the school and stay around their kids to know what they do. This not only boosts the child’s confidence in parents, but also leaves offenders with the impression that the child is well protected,” said Dr Shubhangi Parkar, head of the psychiatry wing of KEM Hospital. She added that parents should simply and gently explain to their kids the issues of ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ and about keeping away from strangers.

Schools should be aware of where students are at any given point of time. There should be enough attendants in class to ensure the safety of younger kids. “Even teachers should encourage students to enquire about anything and everything they feel like,” said Shetty.

Increasing cases of child sex abuse have left parents wondering the right age to discuss such issues with kids. “There is no right age anymore. Earlier, we had instances of five or six-year olds being raped but now we hear cases of kids barely two or three years old being targeted,” said Dr Yusuf Matcheswalla, adding that early detection of such cases and therapy is very important or else children might end up with a phobia of other people.