In a proactive stride toward child safety, the team of BBA (H) Marketing final year students from UiTM Cawangan Melaka Kampus Bandaraya Melaka, has spearheaded the #SafeTouch4Kids campaign, dedicated to educating children about safe physical interactions. The initiative which parked under SoCCoM 4.0 umbrella, held on December 26th and 27th, engaged children and the teachers of Funkids Childcare Melaka in a series of campaigns aimed at fostering awareness and understanding. The audience that is targeted for the campaign consists of children aged 3 to 5 years old who attend Funkids Childcare Melaka.
The campaign’s objective was to clearly educate and promote awareness among youngsters about the definition of safe and acceptable physical contact. This entails differentiating between secure and insecure physical contacts, comprehending personal limits, and identifying when and how to request assistance if they experience discomfort, to decrease the incidence of sexual harassment among youngsters.
The campaign was successfully carried out during the period of two days, which was a tremendous accomplishment, plus evaluating and monitoring stage in 1st week of January 2024. On the first day, the children were given an evaluation during the opening session, and edu-chat by a senior psychology officer from the Career and Counseling Centre, UiTM Cawangan Melaka Kampus Bandaraya Melaka, led a campaign awareness drive. Both of these activities took place on the same day. After this, a quiz session was held, which was based on the talk that the speaker had given. In addition to a coloring activity, the activities that were offered on the second day included a simulation of safe contact.
The evaluating and monitoring results of the campaign were encouraging, with an obvious rise in the children’s awareness of the difference between safe and unsafe touch from the point of view of the campaign. A successful campaign was achieved as a result of the team’s unwavering commitment and meticulous preparation.
Upon contemplation of their endeavors, each team member acknowledges the valuable experience acquired in executing such a multifaceted campaign. In addition to the academic setting, the team highlighted the practical information gained about safe contact and the teaching aimed at reducing instances of sexual harassment among children, which can be used in their everyday life. This is aligned with the need for SDG 16, which includes execution of educational, awareness-raising and protection programs to reduce exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children.
The #SafeTouch4Kids program at Funkids Childcare Melaka exemplified proactive approaches in ensuring child safety. It not only spread important information but also initiated important discussions, guaranteeing a safer environment for the youngsters in the neighborhood. This knowledge transfer program needs to be continued by more UiTM teams, by engaging more communities so that children are better protected, aligning with the objectives emphasized in SDG 16.