Young Indians (Yi), youth wing of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), is lending a helping hand towards schoolchildren through its 'Project Masoom'.
Inspired by Amir Khan's Satyamev Jayate and launched by Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi in March 2015, 'Project Masoom' aims to protect children from sexual abuse.
"Yi Jharkhand is already engaged in conducting a series of awareness sessions in schools across the state impacting children directly. Our primary aim is to spread greater awareness among parents, teachers and the children themselves, about child safety. We also wish to help children learn to differentiate between a 'good touch' and a 'bad touch' and act accordingly," said Ujwala Asundi Kumar (Chair Project Masoom Yi Jharkhand).
She added that Under Project Masoom, Yi counsellors visit schools and offer tips on how children can protect themselves from untoward incidents. They use some innovative children-friendly ways, including screening of Komal, a national award-winning animated clip produced by Child Line Foundation.
Young children suffering abuse from persons close to them, undergo immense mental trauma along with the guilt and shame they feel. This issue is plaguing the world of children. According to Indian statistics 53 % of children - both boys and girls alike, are victims to some form of child sexual abuse or the other ; that is almost one in two children.
The school awareness session is done with the help of a short film Komal, conceptualized and produced by Childline India to help teach children how they can keep themselves safe from abuse.
With the help and support of the SAFE Clubs in schools, Team Masoom has been able to sensitise thousands of children and their parents.
During the school campaign children are educated about ‘safe touch’ and ‘unsafe touch’. They are also being taught ways to keep themselves safe, thus empowering them. It is explained to the children through the film that they have 4 personal safety zones that no one can touch them at. Only their most trusted – like parents or a doctor in the presence of parents are allowed to touch them there. They are taught to say ‘No’, loudly, if they ever encounter such a situation and run away to tell a trusted adult about it. They are also informed about the 1098 helpline number that child line operates 24x7.