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What is Safeguarding ?
Hey, Abena! Have you
ever heard the word
safeguarding?
Yes! It’s about keeping
things safe, right? But I
think there’s more to it.
You are right, it is about
keeping things safe, so what
do we mean when we say
Safeguarding Children?
Oooh I have got it, Safeguarding
children means protecting children
from harm, making sure they grow
up in a safe and supportive
environment.
Yes, It includes preventing
abuse, neglect, and anything
that threatens a child’s
well-being.
Okay…..and what kinds
of harm are we talking
about?
What is Neglect and Abuse??
There are different ways a
child can be harmed. Some are easy to notice, while others are hidden. Let’s
start with neglect.
What’s neglect?
Neglect happens when a child’s basic needs are not met. This includes food, clean clothes, shelter, medical care and love. If a child is always left alone, doesn’t have enough to eat, or isn’t cared for properly, that’s neglect.
That is really sad! No
child should have to go
through that.
That is really sad! No
child should have to go
through that.
Types of Abuse
1.Physical Abuse
Is physical abuse when someone
hits or hurts a child?
Yes! Physical abuse includes hitting, kicking, burning, or any action that causes pain or injury. If a child always has unexplained bruises, cuts, or is scared of certain adults, they might be experiencing physical abuse.
2.Emotional Abuse
What about emotional abuse?
Emotional abuse is when someone shouts, insults, or makes a child feel worthless. If a child is always told they are “useless” or “not good enough,” it can hurt their confidence and mental health.
3.Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is when an adult or older person forces or tricks a child into doing inappropriate things, like touching or exposing them to things that aren’t meant for children.
That’s awful! What should
a child do if this happens?
They should tell a trusted adult immediately, like a parent, teacher, or a helpline worker. It’s never a child’s fault, and they should never feel ashamed to speak up.
Online Abuse
I’ve heard of cyberbullying. Is
that online abuse?
Yes! Online abuse includes cyberbullying, sending inappropriate messages, or tricking children online. That’s why we must be careful about what we share and who we talk to online.
Who is Responsible for Safeguarding?
children are safe?
community members and even us kids!
If we notice something wrong, we should
speak up.
What if the person we
tell doesn’t believe us?
Then we tell someone else! If one
adult doesn’t listen, find another
until you get help. In many places,
there are child helplines that can
help too.
How Can We Stay Safe
What can children do to
protect themselves?
Trust their feelings—if something feels wrong, it probably is. Speak up—tell a trusted adult if they feel scared, uncomfortable, or hurt. Know their rights—every child has the right to be safe! Be careful online—don’t talk to strangers or share personal information.
This is really important! I
hope all children know that
they deserve to be safe and Protected
Me too, Abena! And remember,
if we all work together, we can
make the world a safer place for
children!
How Can We Stay Safe
1. What is safeguarding?
a) Protecting children from harm
b) Playing games
c) Ignoring problems
2. Which of these is a type of abuse?
a) Physical abuse
b) Eating healthy food
c) Playing with friends
3. If a child is always left alone without food or care, this is called:
a) Love
b) Neglect
c) Playing outside
4. Who is responsible for safeguarding children?
a) Only parents
b) Teachers and community members
c) Everyone
5. If you feel unsafe, what should you do?
a) Keep quiet
b) Tell a trusted adult
c) Ignore it