The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Women Teachers Association KEWOTA Benter Opande has taken a moment to share with us some of the golden tips to keep our children safe:
“The holiday season can be hectic – kids are out of school, you’re busy with holiday shopping, you may have family coming to town, or you may be traveling for the holidays. But with all that activity comes increased opportunities for your child to be exposed to abuse. During these times, it’s more important than ever to remember protecting kids is the priority.
During the holidays, there may be additional friends and family members around, and some may want to hug, play with, or tickle your child, or they may ask your child to sit on their lap. Boundaries and respect are key to empowering kids to say “no” to unwanted touches, pictures, etc., by adults or other children. Let your child and other adults know this is a decision your child can make based on THEIR comfort level. If a child says “no” or “stop,” their decision (and their boundaries) should be respected.
The Hon. CEO also called upon parents, guardians and other caregivers to pay keen interest to signs of abuse:
“Sometimes, adults may observe behaviors or feel that something is not quite right between an adult and a child, but they disregard it because the adult in question is a family member or trusted friend, someone they think could never harm a child. Unfortunately, the truth is, 90% of children are sexually abused by someone they and the family know well, and 70% are abused by a family member. Additionally, abuse can happen at the hands of another child, so be alert to relationships and activities between kids and other youth as well.
Your child depends on you to keep them safe, so if you feel that something is not right, act. It’s okay to ask questions about activities and/or behaviors. And if your child is spending time with others, it’s okay to stop in unannounced. Always follow up with your child after visits to ask about their time away and let them know they can tell you about anything that made them uncomfortable or upset them.”
Madam Benter further tells us that dangers can lurk online as well:
“With time off from school, children will be on their digital devices more frequently, and increased risk comes with increased use. Teach children to be careful what they share online and not include geotags or locations when posting online. Remind them that they should never post sensitive information (such as their location, school, etc.) online, as it could help predators locate them. Remember that an unintended audience may view your child’s posts online and even attempt to contact them. Empower children to tell you if someone they do not know contacts them, asks for personal information, or makes them feel uncomfortable online.
Teach children about good digital citizenship, which is the responsible, respectful, and safe use of the internet. Talk to your children about the importance of being a good digital citizen and how to establish a good digital reputation that will follow them into their future. Important topics to discuss include their privacy settings, posting online appropriately, knowing who their online friends are, being kind to others, and being aware of the online environment to minimize risks to themselves and others.