News and Event – Standard Foundation Schools

News and Events

Body Safety Education

Body Safety Education aims to empower children with skills and knowledge that will lessen the likelihood of them becoming victims of childhood sexual abuse. As much as we shy away from this topic, it’s a fact that approximately 20% of girls and 8% of boys experience some form of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday, that’s why at SFS we take body safety very seriously.

The Abuse Cycle

There is a cycle that can be referred to as the ‘After- Abuse Cycle’ which the child may struggle with, right after the abuse might have taken place.

First, they start to isolate themselves from other people after the abuse. This is known as the isolation phase.

They are already ashamed of themselves and feel alienated from other people due to the recent events.

They don’t see themselves as the same person they have always been before the incident.

Hence, the reason for the isolation. Meanwhile, such individual might also be afraid of the fear of judgment by other people.

They will not be able to concentrate on school activities. This can result in a decline in comprehension of the victim or an inability to even concentrate on a task outside the school.

Such a person might be lost in thought most of the time or may be unwilling to study again.

S/he might be feeling out of touch with themselves and disconnected from friends and family which can lead to low self-esteem.

As a result of the incident which has taken place, they might view others as superior and feel they are no longer the same as their fellow counterparts.

Once in a while, they may have flashbacks of the incident and even dream about it frequently which can cause depression.

Abuse is a very serious issue which should not be taken with levity and it should be treated with so much concern. There are lots of children out there who are suffering from the effects of abuse and have lost their true sense of self.

The society should never judge or discriminate victims of abuse.

They should not place stereotypes on them because of the traumatic events that transpired.

They should rather ensure perpetrators are indicted for their crimes.

It takes a village to raise a child, they say. But, what do we do when the society that is supposed to guide and protect a child is the same one that shames the child?

We must all contribute positively in treating victims of abuse with understanding and love. Make them feel seen and heard because they already carry a burden so heavy to bear.