"I used to believe that only girls are sexually abused. I now see that anyone can become survivors.”
“I've been practicing self-defense skills in particular circumstances. “
“I will share with my classmate about today’s lessons later”
Here are some feedback from students after the training course.
On February 25th, in the project’s framework “Scarlet Sails” phase 2, For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) was coordinated with Hai Phong City Women's Union to hosted the training course “Child sexual abuse prevention” for 30 students who are leader of Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer organization at their classes. The entire budget for activities in the project’s Phase 2 was deducted from the mooncake program’s "Moon Flavor" in 2022.
Ms. Dang Thi Phuong Loan - “Scarlet Sails” Project Manager and Ms. Nguyen Thi Sam - Program Assistant directly facilitated the training course, with technical advice from Mrs. Tran Hong Diep - Deputy Director of VSF.
After one day of training, the students gained a better understanding of child sexual abuse concepts; they were also able to distinguish three types of sexual behavior (with physical contact, without physical contact, and through technological tools); remember the rules of preventing child sexual abuse; and practice some essential skills in the prevention of sexual abuse through a number of specific situations.
They all took part extremely proactively, self-assuredly exposed their thoughts. Specifically, they discussed openly about the issues and came up with their own ideas to deal with the dangers and indications of child sexual abuse.
Following this training session, it is anticipated that VSF will continue to conduct a training session with this group of students “Communication skills of child sexual abuse prevention” in March so that they can become communicators at their school and classes.
In addition, since March 2023, VSF has collaborated with the Women's Union of Quang Binh (WU) to sponsor Ly's tuition and living expenses for three years (the character's name has been changed). Ly was a 13-year-old girl who was sexually abused by her own father. This sponsorship activity is part of "Scarlet Sails" project phase 2.
Ly’s family is one of many underprivileged households in the commune. Her family has five siblings: three boys and two girls. While her eldest brother got married and settled down, her second older brother barely completed the ninth grade before dropping out. Her parents were working as farmers and had unstable incomes, so her mother decided to work away; only Ly and her sisters have stayed at home with their father. In December 2022, Ly was sexually abused by her father. Her grandma alerted the authorities in time. Her father was detained by the district police and now faces charges of child sexual abuse.
VSF will aid Ly for three consecutive years with a sponsorship package worth 36 million VND due to her psychological trauma and lack of economic means to keep going to school. This package is deducted from the profit of the fundraising program "Moon Flavor” in 2022. In addition, WU of Quang Binh will keep a close eye on Ly and regularly notify VSF on her physical and mental development progress.
Chi, a 12-year-old girl who experienced sexual abuse by the school guard, has been funding the "Scarlet Sails" project since January 2021. So far, there are two survivors and six disadvantaged children are being sponsored by the project. Hopefully,they will perhaps be more motivated to study and pursue their unfulfilled dreams with the prompt assistance from VSF.
