Introduction:
Child sexual abuse is a widespread problem can impact a victim’s wellbeing and functioning across the lifespan. The consequences of such violence are far-reaching, affecting children's mental health, academic performance, and future prospects.
Children on the move, especially those who have no documents and live in isolation such as in plantations in Sabah due to fear arrest and other types of harm face heightened risk of being exploited and abused due to their vulnerabilities and lack of child protection and safeguarding mechanisms.
While adults who are in contact with the children have a crucial responsibility to ensure that their safety, we believe parents and teachers, who often spend the most time with children, are in the best position to educate them about sexual abuse and their right to be safe. Parents and teachers play a significant role in teaching children to stay safe by making them aware of potential dangers, encouraging them to say no sexual abuse, and informing them about who they can turn for help.
In responding to this need, Global Shepherds with funding from the Austrian Embassy, Malaysia developed Aku OK AKU Selamat, a child sexual abuse prevention manual designed specifically to teach children of migrant communities’ skills to recognise abusive situation and to protect themselves.
Caption: Teachers shared and discuss their thoughts on the problem, root causes and effects of child sexual abuse
Introducing the manual to community teachers:
Workshop One:
As part of the rolled out of the manual and its tools, two workshop were planned of which one was conducted August 24-25, 2024 for Community Learning Center (CLC) teachers in Keningau, Tenom, and Beaufort. The workshop was organised by Global Shepherds Berhad (GSB) in partnership with Koalisi Buruh Migran Berdaulat (KBMB). This two-days event, held on, provided a comprehensive learning experience through interactive sessions, practical demonstrations, and collaborative discussions based on GSB Aku Ok, Aku Selamat Manual.
Day 1 Highlights:
- Understanding Violence Against Children: The workshop began with a foundational session where participants explored the dynamics of violence against children. Teachers shared personal experiences and insights, enriching the collective understanding of how violence manifests in their communities.
- Identifying Victims: A dedicated session on recognizing signs of abuse allowed participants to practice identifying behavioral and physical indicators. Facilitators used real-life scenarios and role-playing exercises to enhance learning.
- Trauma-Informed Approach: Teachers delved into the principles of trauma-informed care, focusing on understanding the emotional and psychological needs of affected children. This session included a simulation of counseling methods tailored to individual and group settings.
Day 2 Highlights:
- Teaching Self-Protection Skills: Participants were introduced to creative and engaging methods for teaching children about personal safety. They discussed strategies to instill confidence in children to speak up and protect themselves from potential harm.
- Developing Reporting Mechanisms: Facilitators guided teachers through the process of creating standard procedures for reporting cases of violence. The session emphasized collaboration with local authorities and child protection agencies to ensure swift and effective action.
- Follow-Up Action Plans: The workshop concluded with group discussions to draft actionable prevention and intervention strategies. Each group presented their plans, fostering a sense of collective commitment to creating violence-free environments in their respective schools.
Workshop Two:
On 7 December 2024, a follow-up programme on child sexual abuse awareness was jointly conducted by GSB and KBMB at one of the Community Learning Centres (CLCs) in Beaufort. This important half-day event saw the participation of 10 parents and 7 teachers from the local community, fostering collaboration and dialogue on a sensitive and urgent issue.
Objectives of the Programme:
- Raising Awareness
The programme aimed to enhance parents' understanding of child sexual abuse, emphasizing the importance of recognizing signs, prevention, and taking proactive steps to protect children in their care. - Community Insights
Participants were encouraged to share their personal experiences and knowledge of child sexual abuse within their community. This exchange allowed for a deeper understanding of local challenges and perceptions surrounding the issue. - Improving Reporting Mechanisms
A key focus of the programme was to discuss the existing reporting mechanisms within the community. The goal was to identify gaps and brainstorm ways to create a safer and more efficient system for reporting and addressing cases of abuse. - Future Training Programmes
Based on the feedback and discussions, the group proposed planning training programs in the near future. These sessions would aim to equip parents, teachers, and other stakeholders with the skills and knowledge necessary to combat child sexual abuse effectively.
The event provided a platform for open communication and collective problem-solving, strengthening the commitment of both parents and educators to create a safer environment for children. It marked an important step in building community resilience against child sexual abuse and underscored the critical role of awareness, education, and collaboration in tackling such issues.
Conclusion:
Training teachers to prevent and manage violence against children is an investment in the future. By equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to address this issue, we create safer learning environments where children can thrive. It is the shared responsibility of schools, governments, and communities to prioritize such training programs, ensuring that every child’s right to safety and dignity is upheld.
Prepared by: Jellferlyne Joseph, Programme Coordinator