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#MeToo: How To Talk To Your Kids About Sexual Harassment In Singapore

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#MeToo: How To Talk To Your Kids About Sexual Harassment In Singapore

In the age of #MeToo, it’s more important that ever to include our children in tough conversations about rape, sexual harassment and assault.

by Natalya Molok  /   September 26, 2018

In light of recent incidents involving minors around the world, we asked ourselves if parents were ready to have tough conversations with their kids about sexual assault, harassment and misconduct.

These aren’t easy topics to approach as adults, much less minors, but if we are to protect our kids from these incidences we must first educate them.

Companies like Dentsu are helping to raise awareness of child abuse through campaigns like The Unspoken Truth, but with child abuse cases rising by 68 per cent since 2009, more desperately needs to done.

Here are some tips on how to include the next generation in the conversation surrounding sexual harassment because the ugly truth is that you’re never too young to be affected by it:

READ MORE:
Eden Ang, Eric Tsang And Other Men Accused Of Sexual Harassment
10 Ways To Tackle Sexual Harassment In The Workplace
Ase Wang, Anita Kapoor And Other Local Celebs Speak Out About Their Sexual Harassment

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/family/metoo-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-sexual-harassment-in-singapore/
#MeToo: How To Talk To Your Kids About Sexual Harassment In Singapore
Start young
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Teach young children the language they need to talk about their bodies and information about boundaries to help them understand what is allowed and what is inappropriate. These lessons help them know when something isn’t right and give them the power to speak up.

Photo: 123RF.com
Teach children about their body parts
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When you educate your child about their body parts, they might find it easier to express themselves if problems do crop up. It’s also useful to teach them about which parts shouldn’t be touched or looked at by anyone under any circumstances.

Photo: 123RF.com
Reassure them that they won't get into trouble
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Sometimes children are afraid of speaking out because they fear the repercussions. Keep an open line of communication going with your kids so it makes it easier for them to talk to you when they have problems, be it about bullying or inappropriate language. Remind them that they will not be punished for confiding in you.

Photo: 123RF.com
Talk to boys as well as girls
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Parents often think they only have to have safety conversations with girls but not including boys in these issues can be detrimental. We need to have talks with our sons as well about boundaries, respecting the body, personal space and what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. Only then can we truly tackle the issue of sexual harassment.

Photo: 123RF.com
Use pop culture as a reference
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With older kids, its often easier to connect with them on sensitive topics by using pop culture references. Experts say a good starting point would be to watch a show with your child and talk to them about why certain scenarios are good or bad behaviours to emulate and why.

Photo: Netflix
Listen more, speak less
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It’s tempting to bombard your child with a million questions when they come to you with a problem. But it pays off to be a good listener as well. Just be there for them and let the conversation flow. Be attentive, and offer suggestions when they ask for it but let them speak, they will more likely come to you again and again if they feel like they are being heard.

Photo: 123RF.com
Talk to them about caring for their friends
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National hurdler Kerstin Ong described how she was ostracised by her friends when she tried to talk to them about their assistant coach’s inappropriate behaviour. When talking about sexual assault with your teen, remind them to look out for their friends as well, and not just their own behaviour so they can be guided to do the right thing when the occasion arises.

Photo: Pexels
Constantly tailor your conversation about sexual assault
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As your child grows up, their encounters and experiences with sexual misconduct may change. That’s why it’s important that you have regular conversations with them. You would say something very different to a 12-year-old than a 15-year-old, than an 18-year-old, than a 25-year-old. Tweak you conversation to allow for this developmental growth.

Photo: 123RF.com
Don't stay silent
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While conversations about sexual misconduct, rape and assault are never easy – especially with children – its imperative to do so to change how we as a society deal with these issues. Speaking up recently allowed lawmakers to sentence Bill Cosby to time in prison for aggravated assault of his one-time girlfriend.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can also visit AWARE to receive confidential support from a trained staff member.

Photo: Pixabay
  • TAGS:
  • #MeToo
  • assault
  • child abuse
  • children
  • family
  • minors
  • molestation
  • Parenting
  • sexual assault
  • sexual harassement
  • singapore
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