UAE- Video tutorial for kids to understand abuse

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Kids visiting the ongoing Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF) are not just being exposed to the wonderful world of books but are also given practical tips on how to avoid stranger danger and report any cases of child abuse.

At the Social Services Department (SSD) of the Shajah Government stand, counselors are providing visual aids and presentation to teach students various situations on how to avoid being abused.

"We tell the kids to call 800700 to report any form of child abuse," a volunteer told Khaleej Times. "We immediately respond and provide safe environment for them," she added.

A situational video is used to educate the kids. After every scene, the kid is asked what he/she has learned from the video and the next scenario will proceed. After several scenes, the kid will receive a certificate that she has attended and finished a child safety video tutorial.

Kid abuse take many forms - from physical abuse where the kid is beaten, shaken violently, pinched or tied to emotional abuse, where the child is humiliated, rejected and discriminated. There is also negligence, where the kid is deprived of basic needs, including food and education. And other forms of abuse are sexual in nature and for commercial exploitation, the SSD counselor noted.

The volunteer at SSD said the most important step in helping a kid that has been abused is to listen to him/her first. "Often when the kid is exposed in danger of has suffered abuse, he or she confused, embarrassed and scared. The first response should be is to sit down with the child and let him/her express his/her feelings," she explained.

When to notify the authorities:

> If you know or saw a child exposed to any wrongdoing or abuse

> If you doubted that a child is exposed to wrongdoing

> If you were exposed to wrongdoing and your age is less than 18 years

Angel Tesorero

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