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Is Your Child Safe In School Bus?- Safety Lessons For Your Child

On every weekday morning your child steps onto a school bus, waving his hand at you as the bus leaves.  ‘Is my child safe on the way to school and back?’ parents have repeatedly raised such concerns especially with rising rapes and molestation cases by drivers and conductors. As a safety measure, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) made CCTV cameras and GPS compulsory on all school buses earlier this year. The board also made is mandatory for all buses to have a woman staffer or woman guard, and suggested involving parents to oversee the conduct of the drivers and other staff on the buses. However, problem always lies in its proper implementation. Today, it has become important to educate the children about how they can ensure their safety. Below are few safety lessons that children must know-

• GOOD TOUCH and BAD TOUCH

Children should be aware about the difference in a good and a bad touch and must know how to defend themselves if abused or touched. Teach your kids about the signs of good touch and bad touch.  Good touch can be explained as a way for people to show they care for each other and help each other. Examples hugging, holding hands. While a bad touch can be explained as the kind you don’t like and would want to stop right away, such as hitting or touching private parts.

• SPEAK UP

Another way to ensure children feel safe is to empower them to speak out against abuse. Schools in general, and the Counselling and Research Department in particular, have very important roles to play in empowering children against sexual abuse. In fact, teaching them to deal with it is the most effective way to keep them safe. Teach your child to be upfront with such situations and speak up to you, teachers or someone elder. 

• SCHOOL COUNSELLORS

Make your child aware about the presence of school counsellors who use life-skill sessions and classroom interactions to address such sensitive issues. Children should know that they are not alone and can reach out to their teachers or counsellors who will help them.

• REPORT IT

Children need to be taught to report if adults act in a way that scares them or makes them uncomfortable. 

• TO SAY NO

Teach your child that it is alright to say no to an adult who touches them in a wrong way. 

• IT'S NEVER THE CHILD’S FAULT

In a situation where the child is abused, it is likely he/she may start believing it is their fault. One of the most important lesson that children must be taught is that no matter who the abuser is and what he tells them, it is never the child’s fault. 

It has become increasingly important in today’s world to educate children about sexual abuse, and schools have started waking up to this reality. They are educating their children about good touch and bad touch, and how to defend themselves. Many school have even started organising Self Defence classes. While at the same time, it is the role of parents also to do their bit in teaching children some important safety lessons.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this post are the personal views of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of mycity4kids. Any omissions or errors are the author's and mycity4kids does not assume any liability or responsibility for them.