Safe environment for children
JOBURG – A safe environment for children is possible when parents spend more time with them.
Concerns of parents relating to their children’s safety are endless given the wrong company, abuse, sexual predators, social media and availability of information on the internet. A safe environment for children is possible when parents spend more time with them.
ER24 trauma support co-ordinator Henning Jacobs said,“If children do not get the attention they need at home, they could make the wrong choices, become vulnerable and put themselves in dangerous situations.”
An open relationship at home is vital and ensures that children will feel comfortable talking to parents about their problems.
He explained that parents need to be available to their children, educate them about dangers, pay more attention to their behaviour and set rules to create a safer environment.
“It is important to know how your child is doing emotionally. The only way parents will know this is if they build a relationship of trust with their children. Pay attention to changes in personality or attitude,” said Jacobs.
Parents should refrain from being over-protective. Rather than preventing a child from going anywhere they want to go, assess the situation first.
Jacobs said children need to be taught the positive and negative aspects of social media, the internet and use of cellular phones.
“They need to be educated on how predators, for example, work and what the warning signs are, so they can protect themselves,” said Jacobs.
It is the adults’ responsibility to create awareness for children about issues like abuse, violence and sexual assault.
“A child who goes through trauma such as abuse is changed forever. It impacts the rest of their lives,” concluded Jacobs.
Parents seeking help about the safety of their children can contact the Childline on 080 005 5555 or the police on 10 111.
Details: ER24 011 319 6537.
