Üsküdar Üniversitesi and the Social Development Center Education and Social Solidarity Association (TOGEM-DER), with the support of the Istanbul Governorship and the Provincial Directorate of National Education, have launched the “We Are Coming”, Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Project concerning child neglect and abuse. The aim of the project was introduced as providing children with basic psycho-social skills and raising awareness among the adults and families around the child.
400 Students Expected to Be Made Aware Within the Scope of the Project
Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to equip 400 students aged 6-12 from 5 pilot schools, as well as parents, teachers, school staff, mukhtars, and religious officials, with skills to prevent, recognize, and appropriately address child sexual abuse through protective and preventive awareness training.
To this end, the first training of the project, conducted under the coordination of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine - Mental Health and Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar and Forensic Science Specialist Lale Pınar Çoraklı, was carried out. Guidance and psychological counselors working in schools from Üsküdar and Ümraniye districts participated in the training.
Sexual Abuse Discussed in All Aspects with Trainers
In the training organized under the coordination of Prof. Dr. Gökben Hızlı Sayar and Forensic Science Specialist Lale Pınar Çoraklı, the definition of the concept of sexual abuse was presented. Participants were informed about the types of sexual abuse and perpetrators. Information was given about the abuser's approach strategies, and risk factors in sexual abuse were discussed. Indicators of abuse were emphasized, and interview techniques for abused children were conveyed. Information was provided on the legal reporting process in schools. Communication resources to be used in case such a situation occurs were shared.
Activities to Be Held in Primary and Secondary Schools Were Discussed
In the program, which will reach 400 students aged 6-12 from 5 pilot schools, information was given about the activities determined according to age groups and to be applied in classrooms. Additionally, the content of the program and the methods of conveying it to students were also determined.