By Laila Risgallah PhD | Project Leader
Training # 1
Date: July 13th, 2016
Location: Patronage
Trainer: Isis Nassif
Summary:
On July 13th, a group of Not Guilty staff went to the Patronage in Heliopolis to conduct a Training for Trainers (TOT). This training hosted about 50 women who work directly with children on a daily basis. The women were eager to learn certain signs children display that may act as a reflection of past or current sexual abuse. The trainer, Isis Nassif, is a well-known licensed counselor of 24-year experience with those affected by sexual abuse. She explained that an abuser is usually someone well known to the child and not a stranger as normally assumed. She also explained how to deal with situations where there may be doubt of past or present abuse based on the child’s behavior. To conclude, she explained the importance of affirming and believing the child if he/she were to claim that an abuse took place.
Questions from the attendees ranged from scenario-specific ones to clarification on certain points discussed in lecture. In answering their questions, Isis stressed the importance of staying calm, not drawing factual conclusions, and teaching the child main prevention principles. Those are: say NO, run and leave, and tell someone you trust. The event was a success and triggered a natural interest in the audience as their knowledge grew.
Afterwards one of those that attended the TOT talked privately with a Not Guilty staff member and shared a story of a girl who used to mentally freeze and sweat at the sight of the bus she took daily to school. The girl shared that one of her friends on the bus used to touch her in her private parts while on their commute to school. When the girl told her parents, they didn’t believe her. The attendee of the TOT realized from the lecture that this girl needs someone to believe her testimony and therefore decided to believe the girl and also explain to her parents that action needed to be taken.
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