A child-friendly booklet on sexual abuse and exploitation is here! On behalf of the Council of Europe, a booklet on sexual abuse and exploitation was produced for teenagers entitled ‘So this is Sexual Abuse?’. The child-friendly version of the Lanzarote Convention was prepared by the Hintalovon Child Rights Foundation with child participation. It provides insight into the stories of several young people. Their conversations reveal what constitutes abuse, what happens when someone commits a crime, and what can be done in the event of abuse. The scenes give children an idea of who to turn to for help and confirm that they can talk about sexuality and their feelings.
What is it about?
The booklet for teenagers focuses on children’s questions and through cases, helps you to understand sexual abuse and criminal matters.
- Are you uncomfortable when they look at you or touch you?
- Some naked pictures shared?
- You suspect a hidden motive?
- Are you unsure if you want to do it too?
- Is there a love between teacher and student?
- They put you in a position where you feel you can’t say no?
- Did criminal proceedings commence?
Teenagers in the publication find themselves in similar situations or worrying about someone. They talk to adults about their rights, the consequences of their decisions and what they can do. The scenes give children an idea of who to turn to for help and confirm that they can talk about sexuality and their feelings.
The booklet is first available in English and Hungarian.
Child participation in developing the booklet
Child volunteers at the Hintalovon Child Rights Foundation helped from the start to produce this publication. They have been working for two months and met three times to learn what children were curious about and how and from whom to look for answers. They played an important role in finding the real answers to the real questions, as well as making the booklet more credible, user-friendly and clear. Their views were taken into account in developing the concept, the scenes, the dialogues and the design.
Click here to download the background paper of the project.
