Title: Expert Guidance: Fostering Child Safety and Awareness Through Proactive Parenting
In an essential discussion on child welfare, Dr. Parisa Karbalaee Hassani has provided a vital framework for parents to engage in gentle yet effective safety conversations with their children. Speaking to a news outlet, Dr. Karbalaee Hassani emphasized that while no parent wants to imagine their child in a vulnerable position, avoiding the topic of safety can inadvertently increase a child’s risk.
This guidance underscores a fundamental parental responsibility: equipping children with knowledge, awareness, and the skills to assert their boundaries, thereby fostering a sense of bodily autonomy and personal rights from a young age.
The Imperative of Early and Appropriate Education
The core of this approach is prevention through empowerment. Dr. Karbalaee Hassani clarifies that inappropriate behavior is not limited to extreme acts but can include any inappropriate contact, look, request, or conversation of a sexual nature. Crucially, she notes that such situations can sometimes involve familiar individuals, including relatives or trusted adults, and may not always involve force, sometimes manifesting through seemingly harmless games, bribes, or affection.
The objective of education is not to instill fear, but to build a child’s confidence and understanding.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Empowerment
Dr. Karbalaee Hassani outlines a clear, child-friendly strategy for parents:
- Use Correct Anatomical Terminology: Teaching children the proper names for their private body parts without embarrassment is a critical first step. This gives them the language to communicate clearly if something is wrong.
- Establish the Concept of Private Parts: Children should learn that their body belongs to them. The areas covered by underwear are private, and no one has the right to touch them without permission.
- Differentiate Between Types of Touch: Help children identify “good touch” (like a comforting hug from a parent), “bad touch” (touching of private parts), and “confusing touch” (anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or upset).
- Distinguish Between “Good” and “Bad” Secrets: A “good secret” is about something like a surprise gift. A “bad secret” is one that makes a child feel scared, sad, or uncomfortable and should always be shared with a trusted parent.
- Teach the Right to Say “No”: Empower children to loudly and clearly say “No” to any unwanted touch or request, even from an adult or authority figure, and to immediately report it.
- Build Unshakeable Trust: Foster an open, non-judgmental relationship. Assure your child they will never be punished for telling the truth and that you are always there to listen and help.
- Integrate Learning Through Play: Use stories, dolls, and drawings to naturally embed these lessons into everyday activities, making the learning process engaging and less formal.
- Address Online Safety: For children with access to digital devices, education must extend to the online world. This includes the dangers of sharing photos, engaging in conversations with strangers, and viewing inappropriate content, all under parental supervision.
When to Seek Further Support
Dr. Karbalaee Hassani advises that significant behavioral changes—such as sudden fear of certain people or places, age-inappropriate sexual behavior, anxiety, depression, or withdrawal—may be indicators that professional consultation with a child psychologist specializing in trauma is warranted.
Conclusion: Empowerment as a Foundation for the Future
Ultimately, this proactive education is framed not as a source of alarm, but as a child’s right and a cornerstone of responsible parenting. By initiating open, age-appropriate conversations about body safety, consent, and personal boundaries, parents can raise stronger, more aware, and more resilient children. This foundational knowledge not only serves as a protective shield but also builds the self-esteem and capacity for healthy relationships that will benefit them throughout their lives.