THE IMPORTANCE & URGENCY OF SEXUAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN

The increasing prevalence of sexual violence

Various parties have recognized the importance of sex education for children. Various reasons have clearly shown that sex education is not only an important need, but also an urgent one (Farantika et al., 2024). The sexual education program conducted by the Garwita Institute in Jember over the past eight years aims to help children understand their bodies and maintain their hygiene, enable children to protect themselves, help children respect themselves and others, and prevent children from becoming victims of sexual violence, which is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Based on data compiled by the National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA) presented by databoks.katadata.co.id, there were 3,547 cases of violence against children throughout 2023. Of the reported cases, 1,915 were sexual violence cases. Furthermore, the number of unreported cases is estimated to be much higher than the reported cases, as this is an iceberg phenomenon.

Based on Garwita's experience in handling child victims of sexual violence, it has been found that sexual violence has a significant negative impact on children's future lives, such as negative self-concept, exclusion, victimization of bullying, depression, and even suicidal tendencies. In addition, child victims of sexual violence are also vulnerable to experiencing sexual violence again in the future. Therefore, sexual violence must be prevented.

How is sex education delivered?

Many parents still don't understand how to properly provide sex education to their children and when to start. Sex education is most appropriate when children begin to ask questions, for example, about the differences between themselves and their siblings of the opposite sex. When children ask questions, they have a desire to know the answers, which makes providing education effective.

So how should sex education be provided? Sex education will be easier to understand when it is provided in accordance with the child's age. As children grow older, their thinking abilities also develop. The development of children's thinking (cognitive) abilities is comprehensively explained by Jean Piaget (in Papalia et al., 2001).

For example, if the child is 7 years old or younger, explanations in sex education need to be concise, clear, and concrete because children find it easier to understand things with concrete explanations. For example, if a 5-year-old child asks, “Where does the baby come from?”, then the answer could be, “The baby comes from the mother's tummy.” This answer will be easy for the child to understand. Another example is that we need to mention three private areas of the body that should not be touched by anyone other than the mother and medical personnel with parental consent. These areas are the chest, genitals, and buttocks.

On the other hand, considering that children's thinking develops as they grow older, the way sexual education is delivered also needs to be adjusted. For example, children aged 7-11 years are already more capable of logical thinking and are beginning to learn abstract thinking. Therefore, 10-year-olds can be explained that babies can grow bigger in their mother's womb and are born through the vagina.

Parents need to start getting used to referring to reproductive organs, including genitals, using the correct terms. This will prevent children from becoming confused when trying to understand them. Parents may feel uncomfortable using the correct terms, but this is part of sex education itself. Sex education is very beneficial for children because it not only teaches them, but also teaches parents. This will become easier the more often parents practice it. Enjoy the process with your children.

Source

Komnas PA: Ada 3.547 Kasus Kekerasan Anak 2023, Terbanyak Kekerasan Seksual. databoks.katadata.co.id. 29 Desember 2023. 20 Maret 2024. https://databoks.katadata.co.id/datapublish/2023/12/29/komnas-pa-ada-3547-kasus-kekerasan-anak-2023-terbanyak-kekerasan-seksual

Farantika, dkk. 2024. Early Childhood Sex Education to Prevent Sexual Abuse. Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini Vol: 1, No2, 2024, 1-8.

Papalia, dkk. 2001. Human Development. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.