YaR Day Celebration
As part of the YaR (Young at Risk) Day celebrations, Don Bosco Veedu Society
Trivandrum organised a half day Seminar
on the theme “Protect Children from
Sexual offences” at Don Bosco Centre, Manacaud on 26th
November, 2013. The participants for the
seminar were Teachers and Counselors’ from high schools of Trivandrum
educational district.
The seminar was divided into three sessions.
Session One
The first session dealt on The
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO 2012) and it was
handled by Mr Jobi, Life Skill Education Coordinator and CHILDLINE, Team
Member. He pointed out that though the Act is there, there is a need to act for
the children to protect them from sexual Abuses. He explained all the sections
in POCSO Act in a clear and precise manner.
Session Two
The second session consisted of a group discussion
led by Sri Manuel George, senior staff of Don Bosco Veedu Society. The Participants were divided into six groups
and provided with paper cuttings of one sexual abuse case each. Participants
were to discuss the case and provide suggestions for three issues namely the
reason for the happening, what could have been done to avoid it and what could
be done when the worst has happened to the child to support him/her. Each group leader presented their findings to
all the participants.
Session Three
Fr. P D Thomas, Director Don Bosco led the final session of the
seminar with the theme “Prevention is
better than Cure”. Sexual Abuse can be prevented if teachers maintain a
strong positive relationship with the students. The teacher plays a vital role in the growth and development
of the child. It is also the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that
his/her students study and grow-up in an environment that is free from abuse,
exploitation and violence. Teachers can ensure this by taking small steps, like
establishing a special bond with their students so that they do not hesitate to
discuss their problems and concerns with them. Preventive Education, Why children don’t tell about abuse, When children tell – What to
do?, Symptoms of Sexual Abuse among children and reporting abuse were the
topics handled by him.
The seminar ended with vote of
thanks by Sri. Manuel George, the Coordinator of the Seminar. The seminar ended
with lunch for all.
