BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Two local facilitators of the Just Play Programme have commended the importance of the ‘Good Touch & Bad Touch’ awareness activity.
UNICEF Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Consultant and Child Psychologist, Dr Koen Sevenants, conducted the ‘Good Touch & Bad Touch’ concept yesterday at the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Academy in East Honiara.
Just Play Programme Instructor, Vanessa Kausimae, said the session was vital in promoting child protection and safeguarding.
She explained that the Just Play Programme, which targets children aged 6 to 18, works closely with in-country partners, including UNICEF.
“This strong partnership helps us protect children and uphold their rights. The activity demonstrates to children the difference between good touch and bad touch, which is a critical step in preventing abuse,” she said.
Sexual abuse is when a person uses their authority or power over a child to engage in sexual activities and it often goes unnoticed, especially among younger children. Many children between the ages of 4 and 12 may not even realise they are being abused. This makes simple, child-friendly awareness activities like ‘Good Touch & Bad Touch’ all the more important.
Ms Kausimae stressed that awareness of the issue is still lacking in the country, and many harmful behaviours have become normalised.
“Breaking it down to the basics, like teaching children what is a good touch and what is a bad touch, helps them understand the impact and empowers them to report or say no,” she said.
Just Play Programme Facilitator, Claudia Votu, also highlighted that the exercise aligns well with the programme’s work in both rural communities and Honiara.
She said the small but powerful demonstration will not only benefit children, but also parents and caregivers.
“This activity allows parents to guide children when situations arise, enabling them to recognise what is right and wrong. If such programmes continue, they will be successful in building children’s confidence to stand up for themselves,” she said.
Miss Votu added that integrating the awareness into schools and communities will help reduce abuse and violence.
“When children learn about good and bad touch at a young age, they grow up strong in their choices,” she said.
The facilitators encourages every parent, teacher, caregiver, and community leader to do this exercise with their children and students.
“For children, it is important to know they can report to a trusted person when they feel unsafe. For adults, if you come across a case of abuse, you must report it immediately to the police, the Social Welfare Division (20569), or by calling the toll-free hotline 132,” said Dr Sevenants.
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