Brilio.net - The case of alleged abuse of a toddler with the initials K at a daycare in Cimanggis, Depok, on June 10 2024, has shaken the community. The victim's parents found out about this after receiving a complaint from a teacher who felt there was something strange about the victim's child's behavior. Examination of CCTV footage later revealed that their child was a victim of abuse.
This incident was not only experienced by victim K, but also several children from other parents. The victim's parents have made a police report at the Depok Metro Police and plan to report the alleged abuse to the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI). This case is a reminder that children are a group that is vulnerable to violence, both from peers and adults.
Smaller children's body posture is often a psychological factor that makes them unable to fight back when experiencing violence. Therefore, the role of parents in preventing and detecting violence against children is very important. Parents need to know the steps they can take to protect their children from potential violence in the educational environment .
Below, brilio.net summarized from various sources on Friday (2/8), seven ways that parents can do to prevent violence against children at school or daycare. These steps cover various aspects, from effective communication with children to active involvement in the education system.
Establish open communication with children.
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Parents need to build open and effective communication with their children. Ask open-ended questions and use phrases like tell me more or what do you think? to encourage children to talk more.
Don't hesitate to start important discussions about difficult topics like violence, even though it may be uncomfortable. Good communication will help children feel safe and confident to talk about problems they may face at school or day care.
Recognize signs of behavior change.
Parents must understand their child's normal behavior to be able to recognize the slightest changes that may indicate a problem. Watch for signs such as social withdrawal, declining grades at school, sudden cessation of activities you used to enjoy, sleep disturbances, eating problems, avoidance, lying, or persistent physical complaints.
Sudden changes in a child's behavior, whether subtle or dramatic, can be an early signal of a problem that needs to be looked out for. By recognizing these signs early, parents can take immediate action to protect their children.
Provide self-protection knowledge.
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Parents need to give children an understanding of the boundaries that other people should not violate regarding their bodies. Teach children to dare to voice discomfort or rejection of behavior they don't like.
Explain to your child that no one should touch him inappropriately. Provide an understanding of the concepts of "safe touch" and "unsafe touch" so that children can identify and report if something inappropriate occurs.
Equip children with self-defense knowledge.
Providing children with self-defense knowledge can be one solution to increase their self-confidence and ability to defend themselves. Apart from teaching discipline, martial arts can also build mental and physical strength.
Parents need to provide guidance that martial arts is not for violence against other children. Emphasize that self-defense is for self-protection, not to harm others.
Know when to intervene.
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Parents need to have the courage to take action and intervene when their child shows different behavior or attitudes. Effective interventions involve collaboration between parents, schools, and health professionals to provide ongoing monitoring and support.
Don't hesitate to seek professional help if necessary. Early intervention can prevent problems from becoming more serious and give children the support they need to overcome difficult situations.
Actively involved in children's education.
Build good relationships with your child's teachers and maintain regular communication throughout the school year, not just when there are problems. Keep up with school activities, class projects, and child assignments.
Attend all parent orientation activities and parent-teacher meetings. If possible, take part as a volunteer in school activities or join a parent and teacher association.
Join a violence prevention coalition.
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, crime rates can decrease by up to 30 percent when violence prevention initiatives become a community-wide effort. Parents can join a PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) or other school-based groups that work to identify problems and causes of violence in schools.
Collaboration between parents, school officials, and community members is the most effective way to prevent violence in schools. Together, they can develop an effective violence prevention and response plan.