02/12/2025
November is National Children’s Month, with the theme "Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) - Children Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban." This theme sheds light on the growing number of sexual abuse cases involving children.
According to research, children, particularly those or even individuals with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are more vulnerable to abuse because of their impaired capacity to identify or avoid danger. Challenges in speech, language, and communication can also be a factor contributing to their vulnerability, as they may be unable to tell others what happened to them.
That is why the "Go, Tell, Keep Telling" Rule is Essential for Every Child.
The "Go, Tell, Keep Telling" rule is more than just a guideline; it is a foundational safety skill that can protect a child from harm.
While many safety conversations can be abstract, this rule breaks down the action into three concrete, memorable steps. Teaching them to "Keep Telling" empowers them to overcome potential roadblocks if their initial attempt to report is misunderstood or dismissed.
When teaching the rule, you can use visual aids (like the poster), social stories, and consistent role-playing to ensure the concept becomes deeply ingrained and accessible, even under stress or confusion.
Equipping our children with skills that can help them avoid or prevent such dangerous situations is important to ensure that they know exactly what to do when they find themselves in such instances.
