DUBAI A four-year-old breaking out in a rash after coming into contact with a stuffed toy’s expired battery; a one-year-old girl who ate a whole cigarette while the nanny was busy cooking; an amusement arcade staffer inappropriately touching a child while placing him on a ride. Shocking cases such as these have prompted a Dubai-based forensic psychologist and criminologist to take the issue of child safety head on.
Lama Younis, who is also a children’s rights activist and founder of the Hissah Enrichment Center, told XPRESS: “Personal safety is not spoken about in this part of the region. One must educate children to avoid dangerous situations. The one that concerns me the most is inappropriate touching. One can start at a very young age by using the appropriate language. Children must be taught the difference between surprises and unsafe secrets. They should be taught to tell their parents or any other grown-ups around them when they feel unsafe. They must be taught about their private areas and who should see them and who should not.”
Younis, who is organising a two-day workshop on child safety at her centre on October 2 and 3, said: “I don’t find it okay when I go shopping and I find a random stranger touching and playing with a child. I don’t find it okay when a child goes to the fun fair and he is assisted by the worker and not his parents or caretaker. Children learn best when they are healthy, safe and secure, when their individual needs are met by their parents, caretakers or schools.”
She said parents need to acknowledge the fact that they are the most important people in their children’s lives. “As a forensic psychologist and criminologist, I advise people never to leave their babies alone and keep their eyes on their children when they are out. You must watch your child-ren closely. I have seen parents asking strangers or workers to watch their children for a minute while they buy a bottle of water or fetch something from the car. This is not okay, no matter how safe a place is.”
For details on the child safety workshops, visit www.hissahec.com
