Say no and run
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Touch is important. But what if it makes young people feel uncomfortable?
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When was the last time you said “no” and really meant it? It is easy to yell “no” to mummy, refuse to finish breakfast and run away before she can catch you. But have you ever told friends or relatives to stop when they did things you didn’t like? What would you tell a stranger if he made you uncomfortable? The answer is a simple but loud “no”.
“Learn to say ‘no’,” says Vidya Reddy of Tulir, the centre for Centre for the Prevention & Healing of Child Sexual Abuse. A word that can be empowering, as the launch of the “Tickles and hugs: Learning the touching rules” guide, amply showed, learning to say it strong and loud, can go a long way to prevent child abuse.
Rules of touch
“Young people must be taught to say a ‘no’ and run away from situations that make them uncomfortable,” emphasises this guide on the rights and wrongs of touch. Uncomfortable situations can happen anywhere and with anybody, even with people you know or love. Just as it happened with Ravi in the “Tickles and hugs” story. The nut seller was a familiar face. Yet he doesn’t hesitate to make Ravi feel uncomfortable. Thankfully Rani’s mother was around to explain that next time even if it’s a grown up whose touch doesn’t feel right, the children must shout and get away.
Don’t be sacred that the guide is full of dos and don’t. Comprising a book with the story of Ravi and Rani and a CD, the ways to deal with prickly situations is well explained through the songs that are sung by young people and are a catchy medley of message and music.
Practice saying “no” aloud. Understand and explain to yourself that there’s a difference between the smack that Daddy doles out when the school report card isn’t much to write home about and overpowering hugs or strange touches. But if there’s ever a doubt refer to what “Tickles and Hugs” has to say about the issue and you are sure to find an answer.
The guide is available across cities in the Landmark stores.
P.P.
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