I am the boss of my own body!

Understanding personal space and consent is a critical part of growing up.

53% of children in India face some form of child sexual abuse. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, the cases of rape and murder of children increase every year.

In times like these, it is important to teach children that they are the boss of their bodies. That some touches are safe and some are unsafe.

So how can we teach the concept of safe touch to children?

1. Start with teaching them about personal space- Ask the child to move their hands around them to make a big circle. This is their personal space. In order to enter this people need to take consent.

2. Consent- Just like an eraser or a pencil belongs to them. Their body belongs to them, If anyone wants to touch it they need to ask or take consent. Model this behavior by asking, "Can I touch you?" Remember, this works both ways. Watch this video to understand more.

3. Talk about their body- Help the child understand their body. Teach them the proper words for genitals, chest, and buttocks. This will help them communicate better in case someone tries to violate their personal space.

4. Never force a child to hug, touch, or kiss anybody- Give the child the right to decide whom they want to hug or kiss. If we force a child to show physical affection we are basically telling them that their consent doesn’t matter. The child should hug and kiss willingly and all adults need to respect that. Tell relatives that you are teaching your children to be bosses of their bodies as part of teaching them safety about touching, so they are not offended by your children’s behavior.

5. Identify feelings- Children have gut feelings when someone touches them. Help them identify if the touch is safe or unsafe by connecting with how they feel. A safe touch feels comfortable, loving, and happy. An unsafe touch feels uncomfortable, hurt, and angry.

6. Teach them the importance of no and stop- Tell them that if they are uncomfortable they can say "no, this is my body." If someone touches them without consent, teach the child to shout no and stop as loudly as they can. They should run from there an immediately tell a trusted adult.

7. Model it out- It is difficult for a child to understand good or bad intentions. Every adult needs to take a child’s permission before touching them. This helps set healthy boundaries. You can play a game called “Safe touch or unsafe touches I had today” Ask your child to think of some example to share with you. This will help them differentiate touches.

Remember, it is important to teach children to have a strong and clear voice about their rights. In this way they will have the confidence to speak up when they feel uncomfortable or upset in any situation. An understanding of consent and personal space can help create a less violent and safer world.