Child Sexual Abuse

 I am having trouble sleeping after following the recent sexual abuse claim  involving a minor. The case has been getting public attention as it happened in a maahad tahfiz owned by a celebrity ustaz and one of the perpetrators is the ustaz's son. The parents of the said victim have contacted the school but they were told that they shouldn't trust their own kid. Feeling helpless the parents contacted Wardina Safiyyah and Syed Azmi, both are very vocal about kids sexual abuse cases and through FB, the case went viral and people start paying attention. You can google if you want to know more about the case.

I am not here to take sides since the case is still under investigation. But reading the comments really break my heart. Why? 

1. The blame the victim game. Accusing them of slander and trying to tarnish the ustaz's name. Saying things like the kids have discipline problem, but even if it is true, will that justify the heinous crime made against the kids?
2. The netizens who are still saying things like the issue should be made silenced in the name of religion. Haven't they heard sexual abuse cases involving the church before? How is this different? 
3. Those who are sharing their sexual abuse stories and how it affected their lives even when they are all grown-ups.

We need to educate the kids. They need to know how they can prevent it from happening. What we can do is:

1. Talk to them about their body parts and make them identify their private parts. Tell them that only you (mom/dad) can see them naked. People outside the house can never see them naked except the doctor and even then, mommy and daddy need to be there with them.
2. Teach them that no one can touch their private parts. Tell them also that they can't touch people's private parts.
3. Explain to them that they should run, scream and quickly inform other grown-ups if they feel that they have been violated.
4. Tell them that they will never be in trouble if they share anything with you because most perpetrators will use threats and secret-keeping to ensure the kids keep quiet about the abuse.

As parents, we need to listen to our kids and we need to be aware of any changes with our children, no matter how small they are.