The article was written and prepared by Dr. Samira Al-Ghamdi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and cognitive behavior therapy.

What is sexual harassment? It is the use of the child for the purpose of sexual pleasure

1- By touching it or "trying to touch" for sexual purposes

2- Or through sexual intercourse (vaginal / oral / or anal)

3- Or by frightening the child or threatening him to show some obscene gestures

4- Or hinting at the child''s body with words or gestures

5- Or by persuading the child to reveal some or all of his body parts for sexual purposes

At what age is my child vulnerable to sexual harassment?

Children of different age groups may be exposed to sexual harassment, so children should be closely monitored and not given full confidence to anyone. It is the parents'' responsibility to protect a child from sexual harassment until he reaches an age when he can protect himself.

What are the signs that my child has experienced sexual harassment?

There are signs that indicate that a child has been sexually molested, and they may be physical or psychological signs

1- Physical signs may appear as

Persistent and unexplained pain

Or bleeding or secretions from the genitals / anus

Rape may result in pregnancy

Or the victim may contract a sexually transmitted disease

2- There are also behavioral signs

Such as participating in sexual play

Or his knowledge of sexual information beyond his level of awareness and age (for example by drawing or playing games)

He may force or threaten another child to participate in sexual play

Or by ing an instrument into the vaginal or anal opening

Or stealthily directing sexual behavior at adults

Be careful when the child gets new gifts, clothes, or money

The low academic level and lack of commitment to attendance may be one of the indicators

Attempting to remain silent when giving information about his "new" friends, his new activities, communications, or unusual Internet use.

It may also show a regression in general growth and development, for example: if the child is trained to go to the bathroom, but he refuses to do so.

Engaging in prohibited practices and activities such as drugs

Also, extreme fear and exaggerated shyness when touching it may be among the signs that must be paid attention to.

How do we educate our children about exposure to sexual harassment?

1- It is recommended to teach the child to protect himself by distinguishing between sexual touch and innocent touching.

2- Encouraging the child to say "no" with confidence and strength, and then resorting to the closest adult around him, whether it is the teacher, the school principal, or one of his parents.

3- The child must be taught that he has privacy and very sensitive places that no person should look at or touch except for his mother or whoever cleans him

4- The child begins to understand this from the age of two to three, and the method must be in a simple way that enables him to understand it.

5- The older the child, whether male or female, must be educated about the privacy of his genitals and the need to protect himself from those who may harass him

6- There is a strong relationship between the child and his parents that makes him talk if he is harassed

What are the ways to protect a child from sexual harassment?

1- By raising awareness of the child and encouraging him to confront all who beg of him to harass him.

2- Strengthening the relationship between the child and his parents and not being shy in discussing these matters in a way that is appropriate for the child''s age and absorption in a simple way.

3- Parents must remain calm and not emotional when they think that their child has been subjected to harassment and try to reassure him that they will protect him from any danger

4- He should also be encouraged to disclose to them the details of the harassment, and the parents may feel it difficult to negotiate with their child about the incident, so it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist to help them

What do I do after my child is sexually harassed?

Parents play a great role in rehabilitating the child and building his confidence in himself and those around him, and some children need a rehabilitation program and cognitive-behavioral therapy in order to overcome the trauma and the psychological effects it may have, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or various types of psychological anxiety disorders.

Finally, protecting our children from sexual harassment is the responsibility of all members of society "parents and the school, including teachers, counselors and administrators"...