How Parents Can Protect Children from Sexual Harassment According to Psychologist

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A clinical psychologist for children and family affairs from the UI Institute of Applied Psychologists (LPTUI), Anna Surti Ariani, shares tips for early education for children and how parents can teach children how to protect themselves from falling victim to sexual harassment. 

"Sexuality education for children must start from an early age, between 0-2 years old. We as parents must properly explain parts of the child's body according to their actual names and not use figurative names," said Anna, Antaranews reported. 

By mentioning a body part’s actual name, a child will be able to easily report to the parents if things that are not desirable happen. Entering the age of over 2 years, parents must teach children to be able to respect their own bodies, starting with simple things like getting children to change clothes in a closed space.

“This often happens in tourist destinations such as beaches,” she explained. Telling a child to undress in public and exposing them to the people there will not help the child respect their own body, the chairperson of the Indonesian Clinical Psychologist Association added.

Moreover, children must also be taught the acceptable and ethically unacceptable physical contact from people, especially strangers. The psychologist also encouraged parents to teach children the importance of telling parents about any uncomfortable encounters with strangers. 

"Teach children to have the courage to tell their parents things that are uncomfortable. Parents must also get used to receiving this," she said.

ANTARA

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