Helping children talk about abuse

WITH horrifying cases of rapes or sexual assault against children being reported daily, four women from a non-profit organisation (NPO), ThinkTwice, have embarked on a journey to educate children about sexual assault and how to avoid and report it.

Visiting rural pre-schools in the Vhembe district, the women use a teddy bear to show children parts of the body where others should not touch them.

This daily routine has already uncovered several cases of sexual assault, often by someone who is supposed to protect them.

“The teddy bear is used to demonstrate the various forms of sexual abuse,” said Sharon Bugana, the ThinkTwice team leader in Vhembe.

She said most children were not aware that they were being abused, but when they saw sexual abuse demonstrated using the teddy-bear, many started talking.

As with many cases of sexual abuse, Bugana said children often did not speak up because they had been convinced by the abuser that it was “normal”, or they believed they had done something to deserve the abuse. There were also bribes and threats involved, which resulted in deep fear.

ThinkTwice also highlights to adults around these children some of the indicators that they have been abused. These include changes in mood and behaviour, avoiding the abuser or activities they once enjoyed, and physical problems caused by external or internal harm, which may include a sudden onset of health problems.

“Our first aim is to protect children from abusers and rapists, who most often tend to be someone close to them and in a position of authority or care,” Bugana said.

ThinkTwice members also note the conditions at pre-schools, and ensure that licensing and operating documents are valid.

“If we educate children early about what abuse is and how to speak up, we have a better chance of protecting them. Abusers who know that a child is empowered to speak up may think twice before harming them,” said Bugana. | Health-E-News