NO-GO-TELL PRINCIPLE

Our children are our most precious gift and protecting them from the ills of the society is one of the major worries of every parent. Recently, the cases of child abuse have taken a turn for the worse and every day you come across horrid tales of strangers as well as trustworthy caregivers abusing the children in way or another. Even if we wish to, we cannot be around our kids 24/7. It is therefore imperative that we teach them to say "NO" to a bad touch and any uncomfortable situation and/or adult, get away from such a person and immediately find a safe person to confide in.

1. Shout out "NO"

Teach the child that their body is their private property and they have the right to decide what makes them comfortable and what makes them feel unsafe. Teach them the difference between good touch and bad touch. Identify the 4 areas to your child (Mouth, Chest/Tummy, Area bw their legs and Bottoms) which no one is allowed to touch and if anyone except the safe person touches them, they have the right to yell "NO". Keep reinforcing the message.


2. Get away from the perpetrator

Teach your child that if anyone, whether or not they are a stranger, make them feel uncomfortable in any way or hurt them or touch them in the aforementioned zones then get away from that person immediately. Tell them that they have to RUN away from that person and get to a safe person immediately.


3. Tell a "Safe" person

Sit with your child and ask them to identify a few safe people in their life. Then educate them that they can always approach their safe people and talk to them about anything without fearing any backlash and/or criticism of any kind. Teach them that the safe persons that they have identified are their friends and will protect them from anyone who intends to make the child uncomfortable or try to hurt them in any way. It is vital that they child can trust their safe person with absolutely anything.




You can download the NO-GO-TELL POSTER

Read more at: http://nobadtouch.com (By Dr. Bhooshan Shukla M.D.)