Understanding Safe and Unsafe Touch: A Workshop for Primary School Students

Women’s empowerment and child rights are two of The Bougainvillea Art Foundation’s most prominent activities. The founder of the organization, Dr. Kaynat Kazi believes that the dignity and safety of women and children are the most important aspects of our life. We typically think that our children are safe, but this is only an assumption. According to PolicyBristol, up to 74% of Indian children have reported physical abuse, 72% emotional abuse, and 69% sexual abuse. Any children can be effected with this issue. Shockingly, sexual violence against children has surged by 96% from 2016 to 2022.

According to a study conducted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), nearly 55% of children in India experienced some kind of abuse. This number is incredibly high and points to a serious issue that needs to be addressed.

Childhood sexual abuse can have lasting consequences, such as marital breakdown, promiscuity, sexual dysfunction, and poor overall health.
To raise awareness, we are reaching out to people of all ages. A variety of workshops have been scheduled to connect with the children.

Primary school children are still at great risk of being sexually abused. One aspect contributing to this problem is a lack of information among children about safe and unsafe touch. Currently, in India, there are government programs and society services to assist children who have undergone sexual abuse, but there is no program that particularly prepares children to protect themselves against such abuse.

Awareness is built on both information and feelings. Knowledge is the cornerstone of awareness, which includes understanding bodily rights, private parts, and the distinction between safe and unsafe touch. Feelings, on the other hand, are the emotional reactions that youngsters have when someone attempts to touch them.

The first workshop was held in Uma Public School in Greater Noida. Ms. Nandini Ray, Menstrupedia certified menstrual hygiene campaigner, interacted with pupils in the primary division.
The workshop module discusses the notion of touch, highlighting the difference between safe and unsafe contact. The target audience comprises of primary school students aged 6 to 10. A facilitator lead the session, which last one hour, at the school. Group exercises, talks, and storytelling are among the teaching approaches used.

The class begins with an icebreaker dubbed the “Name Game,” which promotes conversation and comfort among participants. Next, the concept of touch is explained, allowing children to express their ideas. Some essential notions about touch include: Touch is a type of communication that involves tactile expression. Touch can be categorized as safe, unsafe, or okay touch. Touch is a great technique for making connections and conveying feelings. Safe contact produces happy sentiments, but hazardous touch causes discomfort, worry, or fear.

Following the conversation about safe and unsafe contact, the Safe contact – Unsafe Touch Activity invites youngsters to share their knowledge by sketching. Here are some leading questions for the activity: What does “Safe Touch” mean to you? What do you see? How does it feel like? Is there a Safe Touch experience you’d want to share? What does “Unsafe Touch” imply to you? What do you see? How does it feel like? Is there an Unsafe Touch experience you’d want to share? This practice allows youngsters to convey their awareness of touch using drawing as a means of communication. The illustrations may portray things, words, or scenarios related to different types of touch.

After the informative ppt shown activity, children are invited to share their thoughts with the group and promote understanding regarding different types of touch. Once the children explain their thoughts, the facilitator Ms Shaili summarizes the key ideas and aspects depicted in the ppt to enhance common understanding among the group.