two students per class experience sexual abuse
These figures are alarmingly high. Together with our partner Wij zijn M, we ensure that children learn to set their boundaries at a young age. Through lessons, children in groups 7 and 8 are made aware of this.
Research has also shown that children are more likely to confide unpleasant secrets to a peer than to an adult. With the lessons, we want to teach children to seek help from an adult and to know what they can do.
During the lesson, attention is always paid to the well-being of each student. The lessons are discussed in advance with the teachers to ensure they are well-suited to the respective class. These lessons include: What boundaries are. How to set boundaries. What sexual abuse is. What emotions are involved.
Want to know more? Visit the website of our partner Wij zijn M.
"I didn't know I could feel boundaries in my body too."
"I wish I'd had those lessons when I was carrying my secret around as a child."
"Today is the second day of our boundaries lesson for group 8 at an elementary school. We arrive at school a little early to quietly read the notes from the question box. It's always an exciting moment because we never know what we're going to find. We open the box and see a note from a child that says: I have also been touched in places where it shouldn't happen. We glance at each other. These notes always bring mixed feelings. It hits hard to read such a sentence in a child's handwriting, but at the same time, we also feel it signifies something important. On average, 2 children per elementary school class experience this, and this means a child feels safe enough to share it. Recently, we have had more disclosures from children who have been abused. We always take these signals seriously and act carefully and according to the correct procedures. Together with the school, we ensure that action is taken immediately, that a child receives the right aftercare, and that appropriate measures can be taken. It affects me every time, and then I think, if only I had had those lessons when I was walking around with my secret as a child." - Mandy Sleijpen, founder of Wij zijn M
Pupil group 7/8
“De les ging over grenzen. Dat vond ik goed en leerzaam want ik luister soms ook niet goed als anderen hun grenzen aangeven”
Tessa (12)
“Ik weet nu dat het oke is om nee te zeggen, ook als je iemand lief vindt”
Grade 6/7 student
“Als ik bang ben, voel ik dat in mijn hele lijf”
