World Day against child abuse observed

CHENNAI: Abuse against children is a taboo topic in most scenarios, especially in India. Ma0rking a day on the calendar to highlight the violence and abuse that children face is not quite enough, but many groups in the city took the opportunity to create awareness on the subject.Educating children on how to protect themselves is the first step. A workshop was organised by the Karunalaya Social Service Society, for around 100 children from the slums of North Madras. Facilitators provided activity based training for the kids, on how to protect themselves from abusers. They also taught children to empathise, so that the ones who tend to experiment on other children realise that they are harming themselves and others.Dr N Paul Sunder Singh, Secretary of Karunalaya said that these children were exposed to explicit sexual behaviour very early in life, and the inhibitions lay with the adults rather than the children. Several children were confident enough to identify situations in which certain behaviour is permissible. “Today’s program was an intervention; bringing in the context of child rights and safety added to it,” he said. The children said that they felt empowered after the workshop.Archishaa Trust organized a demonstration outside Memorial Hall, demanding the implementation of an Act specifically meant to protect children. More than 150 children, along with their parents, participated in the event, and distributed flyers and pamphlets to the public. B Rajya Lakshmi, founder of the trust, said the social stigma attached to abuse should be taken away. “Parents and schools should keep a watch on those who interact closely with kids,” she said, adding that background checks may prove useful in ensuring safety of the children.Bro Siga Animation Centre organised an awareness camp for 100 children from Vyasarpadi area, where they met Councillor Saravanan of Ward 46. The US Consul General, Jennifer McIntyre, spent the day with children at American library.