When it comes to the protection of children, parents and guardians do not usually strive to ensure that children and adolescents grow as safely as possible. However, protecting children against pedophilia is a challenging task.
"This is a very delicate subject that requires total calm and tranquility from adults," says child psychologist Daniella Freixo de Faria. The child needs to be safe, but this will only happen if the adults are safe. Knowing more about it is the first step towards this security.
Pedophilia: Brazilian Law
Knowing a little about Brazilian law is essential to know what is considered? Pedophilia? formally in the event of a case. "According to Law 8.072 / 90 [Heinous Crime Law], pedophilia is considered a heinous crime, in which the accused has no right to bail or provisional release, responding to the closed process and serving the full sentence," says the lawyer Mark William Ormenese Monteiro.
In addition to the law in question, Cristina Sleiman, lawyer and expert in digital law, recalls that? Pedophilia? It doesn't mean just sexual abuse itself, but what is the word? pedophilia? is it used to characterize various situations, from sexual abuse (article 217-A Penal Code) to child pornography (articles 240 and 241 ECA)?
That is: both the sexual act itself and the production and dissemination of material are crimes provided for by Brazilian law.
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Although comprehensive, there are some loopholes in Brazilian law. This is the case, for example, with the girl Valentina. In October the reality show participant MasterChef Junior was the target of malicious comments and sexual content on social networks. In the case of these types of comments, "it must fit into one of the criminal types, such as libel, slander, defamation, threat or even instigate criminal actions (apology or incitement to crime)," says Cristina. The framing then depends on the content of the comment and its interpretation.
Likewise, Mark William highlights the need for greater rigidity in Brazilian law that needs to be more incisive in judging which acts are considered pedophilia, as it has only one punishment under article 241 of the ECA, which is the imprisonment of one to four years. for whom to practice?
How can psychology help?
Understand a little of the child psyche to know how to approach the child to prevent aggression. For fear of terrorizing children, when approaching them parents may end up not leaving the message clear, confusing children or constantly living in fear of the world around them.
According to child psychologist Daniella Freixo de Faria, warning children against pedophilia is an act that goes beyond "warning against danger". Explaining to children about body parts, the care that the child should take, is something that leads to the child's self-awareness and aids in their overall psychological development and not necessarily just "against danger".
When we come to see this alert as a? Care alert? and not only "warning against danger", "children keep growing healthy in love and knowing how to stand in front of any discomfort, instead of growing afraid to relate," says Daniella.
Read also: How to control what your child sees on the internet without invading privacy
It is from this point of view that those responsible should start with their approach: love, affection, care, knowledge, not fear.
9 tips to prevent pedophilia
1. Teach about body parts
Teach the names of body parts and try to indicate to the child which parts are public and which parts are to be preserved. Daniella Freixo points out that those responsible can do this at bath time, at play, when changing clothes, singing etc.
2. Start early
You can start teaching these cares early on by using simple language that your child understands. The child is constantly relating to her own body from birth, Daniella recalls, and this guidance that parents and guardians give is part of an education that goes beyond pedophilia prevention.
3. Orient and monitor internet usage
As children get older, it is possible to have more complex and even more direct conversations. You need to guide children and teens about what to post on social networks, chat rooms, and also monitor websites.While it is possible to install programs and other tools that block access to certain websites, it is critical that guardians do not leave children completely alone for a long time in front of the computer.
4. Be careful what you post
In addition to being content that can be misused by abusers, photos and videos of ordinary children on their parent's social networks can create other problems. Depending on the content, this material may be interpreted as the dissemination of child pornographic content, and Cristina states that the person hosting this content may face imprisonment for three to six years and a fine.
Read also: Parental Care for Children
5. Create a home security environment
The child needs to feel completely safe at home to report something that is wrong, be it a case of bullying or a sexual assault. Listen to the child, listen, stimulate conversation, keep the communication channel always open so they can trust you.
6. Help the child identify trusted people
Talk to the child and create with them a list of people they can trust and also the limits.
7. Covers school participation
Daniella points out that the school is a key partner in this education and should therefore include this guidance in her classes. Just like at home, the school should offer an environment of love, care, attention and respect.
8. Empower the child
Predators often choose children and adolescents that they can handle. In addition to all the steps above, you need to assure the child that she will get help if she asks, what can she say? No? something that makes them uncomfortable.
9. Report
Any inappropriate conduct or content should be reported to punish offenders and prevent others from being victims.
Read also: Fear that imprisons versus fear that frees in raising children
Identifying Signs of Abuse
If the child is suffering some kind of aggression, it is necessary to seek behavioral changes such as:
- Aggressiveness;
- Tendency to isolation;
- Depressive mood;
- Avoidance of a particular person or environment;
- Marks on the body resulting from aggression.
Psychologist Daniella points out that some children and adolescents may pretend that everything is fine, which further reinforces the need to be emotionally close to the child so that she can feel confident about telling about the aggression.
Seeking help
If aggression has occurred, help is needed. The child will benefit from a psychologist who will help him overcome the trauma. Parents and guardians can also benefit from psychotherapy as well as support groups with other caregivers who have experienced similar situations. In terms of process, Cristina Sleiman and Mark William Ormenese Monteiro point to the need to gather evidence and depositions. In addition to this phase of collection of materials and evidence, the child is also referred to perform the skill.
Complaints
There are several ways to report pedophilia, check out:
Internet content:
- Safernet
- Federal police
In your city or state:
- Guardianship Council;
- Childhood and Youth Court;
- Specific police stations, such as the Child and Adolescent Protection Police Station and the Women's Police Station.
By phone:
- Dial 100: Dial National Reporting of Abuse and Sexual Exploitation against Children and Adolescents, daily operation from 8 am to 10 pm;
- Dial 181: National Denunciation for any type of crime, Monday to Friday operation from 8 am to 10 pm.
Even though it is a sensitive subject, it is necessary to talk about pedophilia and guide children and adolescents to defend themselves against possible aggressors. Even those who are not directly responsible for children need to know and know how to help victims and report aggressors. Pedophilia is a problem of society and so everyone needs to be aware of it.
Parenting Tips - Behavioral Signs That A Child Has Been Molested (April 2024)
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