Aangan's Body Safety Awareness Campaign will be launched soon and its updated "Break the Silence" book is available now. 

Awareness Raising Campaign: Body Safety

Objectives

• To raise awareness among children about issues of body protection.
• To raise awareness among parents and teachers about ways children can be protected from abusive situations.

Campaign Background

Over the years the openness on the issue of child sexual abuse has increased. Where 13 years ago cases of child sexual abuse were not reported in the press or were reported without using the word ‘sexual’ there is an acceptance on part of the society that it is ok to discuss the issue for the sake of protecting our children, provided it is done in culturally sensitive ways.

Aangan has been working with children, parents, teachers, doctors and other professionals directly. While the direct work with children, parents and teachers has been very useful, the extent of the coverage is very limited.

With the need to reach out effectively to more children and parents, a mass level campaign has been designed. The campaign will be largely carried out using the electronic media (radio and TV). Since Aangan’s approach to the issue has been well received in the past by all sections of the society, it feels that it is in a position to develop a sensitive and appropriate campaign.

Recently the cabinet approved the National Plan of Action for Children presented by the Ministry of Social Welfare in which the prevention of child sexual abuse is an integral part. Aangan, Rozan was part of the core group that worked on drafting this plan of action on child sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.

The campaign will add to the already existing national movement that advocates giving priority to issues of child protection.

Campaign Duration

While the preparation for the campaign was initiated from June 2006, major activities of the campaign will be carried out from September to November 2007.

Target Group

The target group includes children between ages 6-10 years, parents and teachers.

Campaign Activities

1. Mass Media Campaign
2. Child Rights Organizations
3. Counseling Support and Referral Services
4. Launch

1. Mass Media Campaign

A 10 minute cartoon movie in Urdu, will be aired on ATV over a 3 month period (12 or 24 times). The animation on body protection is based on the characters of the book “It’s My Body” developed by Aangan. The book available both in English and Urdu addresses the issue of child sexual abuse in a non-threatening, age and culturally appropriate and fun way.
The storyline has been finalized and Post Amazers are working on the animation.

Talk shows will be aired (6 times or 12 times) for parents on ATV with the aim to educate them about body protection issues. The talk shows will be timed in such a manner that they are aired the same day of airing the cartoon so that parent’s concerns and questions can be addressed.

The talk show will feature renowned psychologists working on the issue with children and parents. Discussions are underway with famous celebrities to host the show and to give it more credibility.

2. Child Rights Organizations

The Video CD (VCD), books and posters will also be disseminated to partner organizations (both government and non-government) that are working in Pakistan for child rights.

3. Counseling Support and Referral Services

The issue of child sexual abuse is sensitive and tabooed. Experience shows that awareness raising on the issue without effective backup support creates more harm than good. Thus, in order to cater to children survivors of abuse and their families, Aangan will provide counselling and referral services. Aangan is recognized for being the first NGO that provided counselling on these issues. Aangan was also responsible for taking the lead in developing the counselling and rehabilitation aspect of the National Plan of Action on child sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation.

Prior to the launch of the campaign sensitive referrals will be built in 5 major cities of Pakistan with doctors, paediatricians, health care professionals, lawyers, service providers working with children

4. Launch

The campaign will be launched formally in August 2007 and the cartoon animation will be screened at the launch. Children, teachers, parents, medical health professionals, civil society organizations, sponsors and media personnel will be invited for this exclusive screening.