Umm Al-Qura University
A total of 22 students from the Medical Student Club at Umm Al-Qura University published an educational booklet entitled, "How can I protect myself?" This booklet aims at informing children about the ways of protecting themselves against sexual abuse and at teaching them personal safety skills. This activity was held under the supervision of the Assistant Professor of Early Childhood at the College of Education, Dr. Amal Banunah.
Dr. Banunah explained the role of the educational institutions, whether they are the family, school, or media, in protecting young girls against the dangers of sexual abuse, providing them with a secure environment, and developing the required skills to protect themselves, beginning from their early childhood. She also praised the students' contribution in offering awareness and in participating, with this booklet, in the "My Protection 2" forum, which was organized by the Vice Presidency for Female Student Affairs.
She asserted in her speech that the Saudi Kingdom's interest in this regard, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and and His Highness the Crown Prince (may Allah safeguard them), achieved great advancement at the international level in safeguarding children. This is because protecting children against harassment is considered to be a constant principle and a solid foundation in ensuring and fulfilling the rights of the child. Similarly, the importance given to protecting children against the phenomenon of sexual abuse, being an indecent behavior which is rejected by human instinct, has also contributed to safeguarding children.
On her part, Rasha Mandili, who is a student at the College of Medicine, pointed out that the Medical Student Club contributed greatly in developing her cognitive skills and provided her with the experience to deal with the various sects of the community. She pointed out that her participation in "How to Protect Myself?" campaign came as an extension to previous work that was well-received by the community during that period. During this campaign, they were keen to expand the range of awareness programs with different ideas that are in line with the new developments.
On his part, Ahmad Khasifan, who is a student at the College of Medicine, stated, “We have worked on issuing an educative booklet directed to educators which includes awareness-raising guidelines for parents and stories for children. This activity rises from our belief in the importance of providing children with sound awareness to protect them against sexual abuse. Moreover, the booklet includes some educative games to inform children on how to deal with cases of harassment.
In the context of promoting social responsibility and disseminating educational materials appropriate to children's ages and the situations they may encounter at each stage, the students of the club presented an educational video that embodies a group of images of sexual abuse against children and the methods of protection against it. The aim is to increase the children's awareness, shape their personality, and provide them with self-defense skills against the dangers they may face in the real and virtual world.
