We have to PROTECT and KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE - By Dr. Barbara Entsuah.

On Feb 14th a news item appeared on Ghanaweb (School girl in 4 day nightmare) about a school girl who was kidnapped by one Mr. Asiedu who went to her school and told authorities that her mother had asked him to pick her up. I read with horror that the school allowed her to go with him and that started the 4 day nightmare of parents desperately trying to find their daughter.

The Ghanaian society has changed from the good old days where neighbours etc could be trusted with one’s children. Although this was a kidnapping case, we daily read horror stories of child molestation and defilement by people mostly known to the children - relatives, neighbours, school teachers, house helps etc. Parents, guardians and teachers have to be proactive in preventing child abuse and as was in this case - kidnapping.

In a handbook written for parents and guardians (A Parental Guide on Teaching Children how to avoid sexual abuse- by Dr Barbara Entsuah and Mr. Jojo Entsuah, published by Combert Impressions, September 2009), we have pointed out some basic commonsense ideas adults need to put in place to keep our children safe. We wrote this after seeing how unsafe Ghanaian children have become.

Some of these include:
• Teach children about personal safety at an early age. When you teach them not to play with knives, also teach them that touching of certain body parts by others is a personal safety issue and should be reported to you. Also give the child permission to say “NO” when certain private parts of his/her body is touched by anybody
• Do not allow children to bath by the roadside. I have seen pre-teen girls with budding breasts bathing by the roadside; they should use the bathroom! Exposure of certain private parts of the body no matter what age (especially after age of 2 years) could lead to sexual arousal of onlookers who in turn may act out their fantasies with the subject when there is the opportunity!! Point this out to others who are not your own children and educate other parents.
• Teach children to report anyone who touches them inappropriately and tells them to keep it a secret.
• Debunk the myth that only strangers can harm them or touch them inappropriately. The “No Touch” of certain body parts rule should apply to all including relatives and your own friends. Most sexual abuse of kids are committed by people they know not strangers.
• Make use of “Teachable Moments” to teach them these things in a non threatening way. When driving them to school, watching TV etc. seize the right moment to teach them.
• Avoid asking children to run errands alone late at night.
• Be aware that school aged children can be sexually abused/defiled by other classmates who want to experiment on them or by cruel teachers.
• Schools should have list of designated people who have parental permission to pick up children after school. This list should be confirmed and update every term/semester.
• Children should be supervised by adults when playing outside the house
• PTA (Parent Teachers Association) should partner with schools to implement sexual abuse awareness programs which can be part of health or social studies curricula.

It is possible to teach our children about sexual abuse awareness, as well as keep them from being kidnapped like this girl was. Thank God she was found safe.

For more on child personal safety issues and information please contact me.
Dr Barbara Entsuah MD, Clermont, Florida Gohinc@gmail.com