New strategy, PANTS teaches kids to deal with abuse

@judd_leonard A new mnemonic known as Pantosaurus’ Five Easy Rules for Staying Safe is in vogue to help children learn to deal with sexual abuse.

The rules, disseminated to mark this year’s Children’s Day by the Action against Child Sexual Abuse Initiative, spell out “PANTS”—each letter addressing points of vulnerability that must be addressed for children to stay safe from sexual abuse as part of the #youcanprotect me campaign.

P is “Privates are private. Sure a doctor, nurse or family member might have to look in your underwear but they should always explain, and ask you if it is ok first, the rules say. It stresses, What’s in your pants belongs only to you.

Samirah Bello, among conveners of the #youcanprotectme campaign in Abuja, says “When it comes to a child, their private parts are from their head to their toes.”

A is to remember a child’s body belongs only to them— and no one should make them do things that make them feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.

N is for “no means no” and stresses a child always has the right say no even to a family member or someone they love, the rules say.

T encourages children to talk about secrets that upset them. If a secret makes a child feel sad or worried, it’s bad—and you should tell an adult you trust about it straight away.

S is for speaking up, so someone can help.

“We are stepping up to say, we need to fight for children,” said another organiser, Juliet Obiora.