Dalia Gazzaz Some statistics put child molestation cases in the Kingdom at 22 percent of all abuse cases. Most of us hear about child abuse stories from friends or relatives and sometimes we read such stories in local newspapers. In fact, the YouTube video showing a man sexually harassing a seven-year-old schoolgirl near an elevator should open our eyes to other issues that need our full attention and utmost seriousness. Every day, we see little children as young as nine carrying their backpacks and walking to school. It is common nowadays to see a five-year-old girl riding in the car alone with her family's driver or a little boy walking alone on the street unattended. In most cases, leaving children unattended in such a way increases the potential for abuse to occur. Abuse can be a horrifying experience for a child and can take a heavy psychological toll on his/her life and future. Unfortunately, family negligence is the culprit. When families do not take this matter seriously and assume that leaving their children alone in such situations will not result in disastrous consequences, they inadvertently increase the chances of their children being sexually abused. This is why children should be taught sex education and be made aware of what constitutes abuse. The majority of families treat sex education as a taboo. They tell their daughters to watch the way they act and what they wear but never tell them what to do and what or how to act if and when they become victims of abuse. In 2009, I interviewed family counselor and writer Hind Khalifa who wrote the famous book “Don't Touch Me”. Her book educates children about child molestation. Khalifa stresses the importance of teaching sex education to children at an early age. Her book emphasizes the essential role mothers play in encouraging their children to ask questions about sex education. Khalifa believes mothers should teach their children the physical differences between boys and girls, and about pregnancy and birth, human anatomy, puberty and its symptoms. They should also teach their children that sex organs are private parts that should not be touched by anyone. If somebody tries to touch these parts, the children should scream and immediately report it to their families. Psychologists and sex education experts say educating children about sex will prevent them from falling prey to abusers. Such children will have the courage to report any type of sexual abuse they are subjected to. Families are not only responsible for the safety of their children but they are also responsible for educating their children about their rights and the fact that their bodies should not be touched by anyone. When should parents give their children enough space to act independently? How can children learn to depend on themselves? Many parents do not know the right answers to these questions. We should give our children a break and space to be themselves and make their own decisions. However, there is a fine line between family negligence and child independence. We should not throw a helpless child into a raging sea before we teach him/her first how to swim. We should provide them with the necessary life skills so that when they reach the right age and become fully aware of their rights, we can step aside and let them lead their lives.
