Child protection prog with Sunday school teens of PTBC

Child Protection Programme at Phek town on August 4.
 

Phek, August 5 (MExN): A Child Protection Programme with Sunday school teens of Phek Town Baptist Church (PTBC) was organized in collaboration with Phek District Legal Services Authority on August 4 last.

Speaking on the topic “My Body Safe Rules,” Vitono Haralu, social activist & state PLV, stressed on the four sensitive areas- mouth, chest, part between the legs and buttock which are not to be taken advantage of by anyone.

She said that we do not have to wait for a time to be an adult and learn to say no to things that are not right. Over the years, boys and men are also facing abuses of different kinds. Why cases are not coming in the front is mostly because we feel shy to talk about it. 

She said that any touch that makes you uncomfortable, you must learn to express it out. She encouraged them to be themselves and love themselves and find their true identity in Christ if not  they will tend to do many things which they are not suppose to do. 

She demonstrated to the children various ways on how to protect themselves with examples such as while travelling in bus, taxi and autos. They were also taught how to say no and stand up for themselves and how to ask and seek help from their trusted people. Hug therapy was applied as a way to demonstrate that how one touch of two persons can heal a broken part of a human heart and give hope to live. 

Dwelling on the topic “Legal Aspects of Child Protection,” Mezivolu T.Therieh, NJS, District & Sessions Judge, Phek & Chairperson, Phek District legal Services Authority, mentioned that there is rise in crimes against children in recent years with 1.6 lakh cases of child abuse pending in the various states and union territories. 

In order to secure the future of India and discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as deterrent, the Parliament has amended the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and increased the punishment from 10 years to 20 years and the maximum punishment to death penalty. 

She stated that children need to be protected and for which empowering them with knowledge and skills becomes very urgent and important. She told the children to be alert and not allow any person to touch them inappropriately and if such incidents are happening with them or they know about it, they should tell the person whom they can trust so that it is reported to the police or the Court and the offenders are punished. She encouraged the children to be confident and courageous and not to be afraid to speak up their rights. 

While introducing the programme, Cheliam Khiamnuingan, Judicial Magistrate First Class & Secretary Phek District Legal Service Authority mentioned that the Constitution of India emphasizes on children’s rights and their entitlements and endeavors for the best interest of a child. 

She mentioned that children constitutes one third of the population of the world and therefore are a very important group to be given proper opportunities to grow. She also informed those present about the functioning of the National Legal Services Authority, State Legal Services Authority and The District Legal Services Authority and the various services which are available for them.

At the end of the programme, a survey was conducted using Childline material to assess adolescence mental health issues on following category- bullies/ substance abuse (intoxicants)/ abuse at home/sexual abuse.
Altogether, 280 teens participated. 

Sunday school teachers, deacons and woman pastors were also present for the programme. 

The programme was chaired by Tusoveyi Venuh while vote of thanks was proposed by Veta Khamo.
The programme also looked forward to do more awareness programmes with parents, church workers and Sunday school teachers to create support system for the children and sensitize them.