“Even with infrastructural and technological checks, child safety can be compromised -- that is, if there is lack of awareness,” says says Sherin Bosko, a child rights activist and co-founder of Nakshatra, which works for the rehabilitation of victims of rape.
“First of all, the community has to acknowledge child sexual abuse. It cannot be complacent about this. If it can happen in one gated community, it can happen elsewhere too. So, it is important to educate and empower the community to make all spaces child-friendly,” says Sherin.
Here’s what she suggests a community can do to keep their children safe:
1. “The residents’ association should ensure weekly or monthly meetings to sensitise residents about child safety. Children should be at these meetings.”
2. “Invite officers from the nearby All-Women Police Station or the Law and Order section to have sessions about child safety regularly. The residents’ association may also invite members of child rights organisations to organise counselling sessions.”
3. “Form your own community task force. Ask volunteers including women and children to keep a neighbourhood watch. Report anything suspicious. Security personnel, maids, cooks, cleaners, lift operators and other service providers should be sensitised.
4. “Parents must talk to their children and teach them about good touch and bad touch. Do not scare them or restrict their freedom but teach them how to protect themselves outside the safety of their houses. Encourage them to share about people or situations that make them uncomfortable.”