鈥楾he Protective Rhymes' Playlist Educates Parents and Children About Child Sexual Abuse
Research shows that one in nine children in the region experience some form of bodily sexual abuse at the hands of adults 鈥 with perpetrators being strangers as well as relatives, teachers, coaches, and friends of parents. Research, speaking to parents, has also shown that 86% of parents don鈥檛 know how to educate their kids about safety from child sexual abuse. This includes the most educated ones. They get flabbergasted when asked. So, they haven鈥檛 had that conversation because they don鈥檛 know how to do so, out of fear of sharing more than what鈥檚 needed with their children.
So, Anghami, with Leo Burnett Dubai and Publicis Groupe, has used a format that entertains children as a tool and a means to provide tangible support to parents to teach their own children how to protect themselves, regarding their body safety, in an age-appropriate manner.
Introducing The Protective Rhymes
Five different songs have been created in consultation with psychologists and parents, and by referring to as well as adapting other songs usually used for children鈥檚 safety. This idea, inspired by a regional problem, is global in its implication and is unique for a brand addressing the topic of child sexual abuse.
Each rhyme is based on an insight and tackles different areas of awareness and education.
The rhymes are also sequential, and through a step-by-step process they are designed for parents to equip children with all the information they need. The rhymes are short, focused on one single point for them to remember. And they are designed using popular melodic techniques that work similar to the popular catchy children鈥檚 songs, to drive memorability. Initial tests with children have proven effective in making an impact on educating them.
Song 1: My body belongs to me
Teaching them about body parts and body boundaries, helping them understand their body belongs to them and no one should see or touch their body. Making kids aware of what is their own.
Song 2: Your body belongs to you
Teaching children about body parts and body boundaries with others, helping them understand others鈥 body belongs to them and that it is not okay for them to see or touch someone else鈥檚 private body parts. that are pri. Making kids aware of what is not okay for them to do (when asked or invited).
Song 3: We keep no secrets
Sometimes those who prime children for child abuse, ask the children to keep their conversations and 鈥榚xperiments鈥 a secret and to not tell mom or dad. How can we tell kids that secrets that make them sad are not good? How can we get children to report such requests from 鈥榦ther grown-ups鈥 to mom or dad?
Song 4: Yell No!
If they find themselves in a bad situation, what should they do? We need to teach them what to do if they find themselves in a situation that isn鈥檛 right, Where they have identified something is wrong and the steps they can take when they don鈥檛 feel safe.
Song 5: Good touch. Bad touch
Once they know what their private parts are and about body boundaries, we must also ensure that they don鈥檛 get paranoid about every single person who touches them. They get confused between what is a bad or a good touch. So, to teach them how to identify the good touch vs bad touch in different situations, the 鈥榦kay/not okay鈥 rhyme scheme works effectively with this song.
The songs are available on Anghami as a playlist titled, ''. The team will also be launching films and engagements on ground to help propagate education about protection from sexual abuse using these songs.
