 The programme encourages children to judge risks |
An initiative aiming to help children protect themselves from abuse will be launched at several schools across Central Scotland. "Feel, Think, Do" aims to encourage primary six and seven pupils to judge risks and act on gut feeling.
NHS Forth Valley, which is behind the programme, pointed to NSPCC research indicating children did not get enough information on sexual abuse at school.
It is hoped the initiative will eventually go Scotland-wide.
The programme, two years in the making, encourages children to talk about personal safety issues, through drama and group work.
Understanding emotions
A key part involves children picking five adults who they can go to if they need help.
NHS Forth Valley health promotion officer Pamela Vannan said children understanding their emotions was an important part of keeping safe.
"Discussing how to recognise when they are scared can help them decide whether a situation is safe, or whether they should try to call a stop to it," she said.
"It's also essential they know where to seek help and that nothing is too awful or too small that they can't tell anyone."
The programme is to be introduced into Stirling and Clackmannanshire schools in February, and in Falkirk in August.
In June 2006, 1,820 children responded to an NSPCC survey on the issue, with 93% saying sex education classes at school did not cover information about sexual abuse.
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