• Airtel
  • Satymev Jayate
  • Powered By Axis Bank
Star Plus - Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi
Stories of Change

Child Sexual Abuse

Break The Silence

 
 
 
Share

Talking pictures

Ashram schools in Chhattisgarh are creating awareness through posters

In August 2012, the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights started raising awareness about a topic that is considered taboo. It put up posters in over 1,200 ashram schools in the state to educate children and adults about child sexual abuse.

One poster explains a simple three-step process telling children what to do if they are subject to abuse. CHILDLINE’s helpline number (1098) is also given so that children can report such a crime and seek help. Another poster lists offences and punishments under the POCSO Act.

“Many students shared with me that it was good to get this information through posters because they don’t feel comfortable talking about such topics. Teachers found them helpful as well,” says Gayatri Netam, Assistant Commissioner of the Tribal Welfare Department, Chhattisgarh, who oversaw this activity.

The commission has even organized workshops in other schools. One example is the Delhi Public School, Raipur, where an intensive two-day training on personal safety and child sexual abuse was conducted for students and teachers. The school conducted a similar session for parents to allay any fears they might have had. Some parents were so enthusiastic that they conducted workshops with the children living in their building as well. “Four–five parents informed me that their children had reported abuse after the workshop; one student even spoke to her teacher,” says Dr Amba Sethi who counsels at the school.

Dr Sethi is happy to help other schools in Chhattisgarh that would like to educate students, teachers and parents about personal safety. She can be contacted at ambasethi@gmail.com.

 

Comments

What are your views on the article featured here?

To Post a comment, kindly switch to Landscape view.

Related Articles

Chuppi Todo! Survivors Speak Out on Child Sexual Abuse

A booklet of viewers’ personal stories on dealing with Child Sexual Abuse

read more

Leaving despair behind

Harish Iyer has given many the strength to share their stories

read more

Sundays at Sadhana School

Students open up about sensitive topics

read more

Decoding POCSO

The Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act easily explained

read more