Goa NGO develops module to save children from sexual abuse

A Goa-based NGO has developed a module on life skill education for school children, aiming to protect them from sexual abuse.
The NGO, 'Udant' has started holding lectures in various schools across Bardez taluka, and soon they will cover Tiswadi and Salcette talukas, which are tourism hotbeds of the state.
"We teach students a simple solution if they encounter an attempt of sexual assault. Shout, Yell, Run and Tell," said Anita Pereira, president, Udant, a NGO which has developed and mentored this module.
We ask children, within the age group of 10 to twelve years, to 'shout' at a person who is trying to grope him or her, 'yell' at him, 'run' from the place and 'tell' the parents or teachers about the incident, she said.

The module has been accepted by the students who are curious about gaining more information on the subject, Pereira said.
A seven-year-old girl was raped in a school at Vasco in January, while several cases of child molestation were reported at various police stations across Goa.

State government-constituted Vishnu Surya Wagh committee which studied two notorious cases of abuse of minors in Goa had recommended sex education in schools as a part of their curriculum.
"There is a taboo for the word sex education, so we decided to name it as life skill education," Pereira said.
In a 40-minute session, the NGO teaches students basics like 'good touch' and 'bad touch', which will help the child realise about the intention of the person.