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A LION with a brave heart has been teaching children important lessons about recognising abuse.
Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure Show, from child safety advocate Bravehearts, has been visiting primary schools and day care centres in Bega all this week as part of the organisation’s visit to the region.
Education facilitator Nina Juhl said the show was around breaking down the difference between feeling safe and unsafe to children and encouraging them to speak out if they feel uncomfortable in a situation.
“The whole purpose of the show is around personal safety,” Ms Juhl said.
“Our show is applicable for a diverse range of issues, such as bullying and other personal safety topics.”
Ms Juhl said there has been a direct correlation between children coming forward detailing cases of abuse after learning safety messages from Ditto’s Adventure.
She said sometimes teachers have had suspicions about children being abused, and contacted Bravehearts to work with Ditto’s Adventure in obtaining disclosure.
“Parents and teachers often want to speak about [child abuse], but don’t know how,” Ms Juhl said.
“It is such a difficult topic to broach, so we provide the language for them.”
On Thursday, Ms Juhl presented Ditto’s Adventure at Bega Valley Public School, ably supported by Ditto the baby lion himself.
The children were taught Ditto’s three rules: they all have the right to feel safe with other people, it’s okay to say no if they feel unsafe or unsure, and nothing is so yucky that they can’t tell someone about it.
Pupils learnt about the difference between “yes” feelings that make you feel good, and “no” feelings that make you feel sad, angry or unsafe.
Ms Juhl told the children if a person makes them have a “no” feeling, they need to run and tell someone else – an idea repeated throughout the show.
She said plenty of research from child psychologists and professionals went into the development of the show, and it was tailored to young children, but was accessible to parents as well.
During the show, Bega Valley Public’s pupils responded enthusiastically and loudly whenever prompted – especially when Ditto took the stage.
Bega Valley Public principal Carolyn Nugent said the show was very age appropriate and successful at presenting a serious message.
“All the children were enthusiastically engaged,” she said.
“Our teachers will now follow the show up with a workbook and related activities, and we will get the message [on child safety] out to the parenting community.”