Educational Programme to Save the Primary School Children from the Rising Number of Sexual Crimes!

Good day!

This is Samita Karunaharan from Malaysia. I am currently pursuing PhD in Psychology (2nd year). I have always been passionate to contribute much knowledge and share my thoughts to the community from what I have learnt throughout my higher education institutions and career journey. The most recent activity I would like to highlight is, I spread awareness via mass media about community issues. I delivered talk in Radio Station named Minnal.fm thrice (Topics : Stress in Malaysia, Hoarding Disorder, Psychological Perspective on Social Media Challenges), once in another Radio Station named THR Raaga (Topic : Depression among Women) and have been invited to speak twice in live TV interview named Astro Vizhutugal (Topic : Technology Addiction & Stress for School Stress for Children).

I have always been concerned about issues in our community. I have presented my research poster on the topic specifying about 'Adolescence Sexuality affected by Parent-Adolescent Interaction' in my campus, CUCMS. I had to mention this (research poster) to personally share that topics relating to sexual crimes have been bothering my mind and I vision myself to be part of this community to make a difference. It has become a regular concern of mine I would say. I receive calls/messages from public and all I serve is consultation and the most is counselling service. Saying about this, I care to mention that I am a registered and licensed counsellor under the Malaysian Board of Counsellors.

The feelings of fearfulness and anxiousness has been bothering me so much lately when it comes to sexual crimes especially involving children. This is something HORRIBLE that could ever happen to a child. I couldn't bare reading news about children sexual abuse cases. They definitely don't deserve to be part of this dilemma. Being a counsellor, I know that I have a major responsibility and I realise that I should do something about this. After much thoughts and exploration in regard to this concern, I have decided on a mission. Let us see briefly on who and how could we help together.

Since 2004, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) has been the main organisation that co-ordinates child protection and child development policies. The Department of Social Welfare (JKM for Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat), in charge of providing a wide range of services for other social groups, including children. To address the administration, assistance and social welfare of children, the JKM created the Children Division in 2005. The services provided by the JKM are divided into four categories: child protection services, child rehabilitation services, child development services and a witness support service programme for children. Yet, the number of sexual crime towards children has never gone lower. To me, the responsibility to prevent sexual crime against children is not only the responsibility of the government but everybody.

Some parents are not so sure what child abuse is all about and because of this, they worry that if they report the case and get it wrong, they may be liable to a lawsuit. Now, the attention is to the children on how can they protect themselves other than depending on all the other systems out there (family, school, government, community). If they are well equipped with skills/knowledge, I personally believe that changes are possible.

CORE GOALS :

In line with this crisis happening here in Malaysia, being a counsellor listening to various cases and with a portion of knowledge on psychological perspective, I would strongly want to conduct a child sexual abuse related programme focusing on 'Safe Touch' for children of aged 7 to 12 years old.

The aim is to teach children to say no, to understand that their bodies are special, help them to articulate their feelings, understand the difference between good touch and bad touch, get away from an uncomfortable and potentially risky situations and how to tell an adult they trust whenever they feel sad, afraid or if they have an issue. This programme is intended to be conducted for primary schools.

There are various reasons why this fund would be helpful. I intent to conduct this programme with my other friends (similar area of study with mine) who are well equipped with counselling skills and psychology knowledge, most importantly who have completely agreed to be on this mission. This programme will be conducted nationwide which is estimated for a year and if we happen to have more funds, we will continue serving. Below is an approximate draft of expenses of our programme for your kind reference :

1) Training/Workshop Fee (we as the organiser will attend appropriate training from time to time)

2) TOT (we will conduct training from time to time for trainers who intent to join our programme)

3) Materials (printing modules/preparing pamphlets/purchase CD/books, and any other related materials)

4) Transportation fee (travel from a destination to another)

5) Facilitator Fee (we intent to pay to those who make their time & effort to be part of us, eg : programme faci, speakers, volunteers)

6) Accomodation (we might rent hall/venue to run our programme)

7) Food/Drink

8) Miscellaneous

TOGETHER WE SAVE CHILDREN AND MAKE A SAFE NATION TO LIVE IN!

Note :

I truly wish that my mission on this long-term project to be fulfilled, I love doing it right by translating the knowledge and providing appropriate and sufficient materials. I aim that in this coming days, let us all keep our fingers crossed to reduce the number of sexual crimes victimising the children who are the light and hope of a nation.

I would sincerely appreciate on your donation as I truly believe that each donation will light the life of the giver. I thank each and everyone of you in advance.

Many thanks!

Regards

Samita Karunaharan