I wish schools provided more education about sexual abuse to children and teens. Do you think there is enough? Do you think it could help and if so, how can we make it better in the future?

I have been thinking about this topic lately and I think it's important that schools help educate children and teens more about sexual abuse (what it is, how to notice signs, grooming, etc., and what to do if it happens). Yet, it is something that seems to vary and is minimal at best in some schools. I am surprised it is not more required and at all levels. I feel the responsibility is put on parents, which I understand and parents should be educating their kids on protecting themselves and being aware. However, not all parents do this and even if they do I think it doesn't hurt to have more education if it is not harmful and could help.

Of course nothing can solve things and it sadly still happens, but children deserve to be aware and know what is wrong and what to do if they find themselves in situations. If schools could talk about these things briefly even once a year, it could help. I know most schools do stranger danger, but it's not the same and I never agreed with it being so 'stranger' focused as kids may misinterpret this. I started thinking about all of this after I was working in a classroom at a Catholic elementary school recently when I heard the teacher talk to the class (in a child friendly way of course) about such things like sexual abuse and prevention/awareness. I was shocked because I'd never seen this in a classroom myself. I thought they did a great job though and I don't know if the children really understood, but I think they had a better idea and it's better than nothing.

In my own personal experience, I never was taught about these things in school. Possibly because I moved so much, I missed it or maybe the schools I went to didn't teach it. I'm not sure. I just know I was never really taught much about it even at home. It wasn't until I grew older and understood more about these things as a teenager. I was so young when it happened that I really didn't know what was happening and I didn't see it as wrong because of that. It's not always as clear as people think and horrible people use grooming and manipulative actions to hurt children. They confuse them, bribe them, guilt trip them, shame them, etc. so they don't tell or even understand fully what is happening. I don't know for sure if it would've helped learning about sexual abuse in my younger years, but I really think it could have. Even if not prevented, it could have led me to resources and help faster. It could have possibly prevented me from getting hurt the second time as an adolescent too I believe. I feel I was too naive and felt dirty and vulnerable once this all became more clear to me. I wish I could protect all children. It does things to people deep down and it happens far too often that I wish there were more measures to protect and help children. They deserve it.

That's all, sorry for the long vent. I'm curious though what other people think. Should this change and will it ever? Is there enough education about this? Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there are reasons for why it is not done more or maybe I did just miss out when it was taught. Also I went to public schools if that makes a difference.

Submitted September 10, 2021 at 06:16AM by clearmind815 https://ift.tt/38WHDWA