Govt to teach children refusal skills to prevent their abuse

Delhi government is devising comprehensive awareness modules to prevent child abuse, especially sexual abuse.
The awareness modules are not only meant for children but also for the parents, teachers and other care givers in Homes where children in need of care and protection are lodged.
"Though there are laws in place it is imperative to work at the prevention level by creating a culture of prevention of child abuse at home, in school and form a partnership network to raise awareness, mobilise public opinion and action, and disseminate prevention programs since child abuse is a national tragedy, affecting millions of children and families every year," said Dr. Satbir Bedi, Principal Secretary (Women and Child Development).

Bedi said that awareness, education, and responsible parenting and teaching give a child, the best tools for her or his defense-and the child may be more likely to tell an adult if something happens.
"It is all the more important to teach the children to say, "Stop it," to instructions, requests or demands that make them uncomfortable, even if they think they should obey," said Bedi.
According to the findings of a study done by the Women and Child Development Ministry in 2007, over 85 per cent of the offenders were known to the children and among the abused children, only 25 percent had told anyone.

"Many cases of child abuse can be averted if adequate prevention policies and measures are established as studies show that most people who abuse children are known to the victims," said Bedi.