Samuel Ubong Okon’s Post

The Power of Words: How Language Shapes Our Understanding of Sexual Offences One of the most painful things I have encountered in courtrooms is hearing children testify about sexual abuse using euphemistic language—phrases like "he touched my susu with his nini." These are terms many Kenyan children use to describe their reproductive organs. While society often thinks it’s a way of protecting innocence, it inadvertently fuels misinformation and misunderstanding and, ultimately, makes it harder for children to speak up when they’re abused. The language we use around reproductive organs shapes our children’s understanding of their bodies and their ability to communicate about them confidently. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we need to normalize calling sexual organs by their actual names—vagina, penis, breasts—so that children can accurately describe any inappropriate contact without shame or confusion. By doing so, we empower them to speak out and protect themselves. The Statistics Speak for Themselves Sexual violence against children is a devastating issue across the globe, and the statistics are heartbreaking: Kenya: In 2021, 16,557 cases of sexual violence against children were reported, with the real figures likely higher due to underreporting. A study by the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) indicates that 31% of Kenyan girls and 18% of boys experience sexual violence before the age of 18. Africa: About 1 in 10 children have been sexually abused, with African countries reporting similar or higher rates. Global: According to the WHO, nearly 120 million girls worldwide (about 1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. As we approach the school holiday season, we often see a spike in these horrifying incidents, with perpetrators typically being close relatives—a reality that demands we have more candid conversations with our children about consent, body autonomy, and boundaries. Children need to know the difference between appropriate and inappropriate contact and feel empowered to report violations. This can only happen if we equip them with the right language and teach them that their bodies are their own. Steps for Change: 1. Start Early: Teach children the correct names of body parts from a young age. 2. Set Clear Boundaries: Teach children about appropriate and inappropriate touch in an age-appropriate way. 3. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment where children feel safe discussing anything uncomfortable. 4. Monitor Close Relationships: Be aware of the adults and older children your child interacts with—statistically, abusers are more likely to be known to the child. Let's stop using euphemisms and start using real words for real conversations about safety, consent, and body autonomy. #EndChildAbuse #ChildProtection #SexualOffences #ParentingTips #MentalHealthAwareness #ChildSafety #SexEducation #KenyaStatistics #ProtectChildren #SpeakUp #PreventAbuse

The article discusses the importance of parents talking to their teenagers about sex and sexuality, even though it can be a challenging topic. 😬 Research shows that open dialogue leads to safer sexual practices and improved reproductive health outcomes. 📈 It's recommended to start discussions about body parts and puberty before age 10 and conversations about sex around age 10. 🗣 Parents should create a supportive environment, align messages, and cover essential topics like reproductive system functioning, healthy relationships, puberty changes, and sexual health practices. 💬 It's crucial to confront biases, listen actively, seek resources, and support LGBTQ+ teens. 🏳️🌈 By investing in open communication and providing accurate information, parents can empower their teens to make informed decisions about sex and relationships. 💪 https://lnkd.in/gXTvNa5n

At #IUSTI2024, examining Australia's nationally-representative study of sex and relationships. Surprise, surprise - we found that online dating is very population and has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Half of people in Australia also engage in sexting, particularly popular among LGBTQ+ folks. All of this leads me to ask: are we doing enough to prepare people for a safe and rewarding 'digital sex life'? Check out this piece to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTXuTZjG

The article discusses the importance of parents talking to their teenagers about sex and sexuality, even though it can be a challenging topic. 😬 Research shows that open dialogue leads to safer sexual practices and improved reproductive health outcomes. 📈 It's recommended to start discussions about body parts and puberty before age 10 and conversations about sex around age 10. 🗣 Parents should create a supportive environment, align messages, and cover essential topics like reproductive system functioning, healthy relationships, puberty changes, and sexual health practices. 💬 It's crucial to confront biases, listen actively, seek resources, and support LGBTQ+ teens. 🏳️🌈 By investing in open communication and providing accurate information, parents can empower their teens to make informed decisions about sex and relationships. 💪 https://lnkd.in/gXTvNa5n

From sexting to condom use: Dutch attitudes on sexual health On World Sexual Health Day, let's look at what new numbers are telling us about sexual health and rights of Dutch people!   According to our latest Monitor Sexual Health, representing 15,000 people, the Dutch have a generally positive attitude towards sexual health and rights. A vast majority believes that consent should always be checked (94%) and that a women should be free to decide on abortion (86%). 88% says that sexuality education in schools should be mandatory.    But there are also worrisome outcomes: condom and pill use is declining, sexual violence and bullying and threats against LGBTQI+ people remain high.   What do you think is needed to promote sexual health and positive relationships? 💕 How do we best normalise conversations about consent, desires, and safety?   ✍ Share your thoughts in the comments below!  #WorldSexualHealthDay #PositiveRelationships #SexualHealth #Consent #RutgersInternational   Read more on the Monitor Sexual Health 👉🏽

Henry Jensen Frandsen Deloris wants to know what I am doing with my life! Our school children are in trouble! Little girls of as young as 10 years of age .........are falling pregnant. Let me introduce you to my new book titled: "A Guide for Early Teens’ Development - Understanding their rights regarding Gender-Based Violence." This is a book that a father can read to his daughter and a mother to her son. It is designed to provide an understanding of sex education, it is without any graphic content that may be embarrassing to either the father, mother, teacher, or the child. The book is written in a conversational tone and covers a range of topics and relationships aimed at teenagers. It has taken six years for me, Henry Jansen Frandsen, and my co-author Tiam Fady-Nate to compile this educational book. Our children need help! They are in Trouble! to repeat, Girls as young as 10 years old are falling pregnant! We have written this book for children to understand that their bodies belong to them, and no one has the right to touch it. It is also important for them to understand their rights, regarding Gender-Based Violence. We believe, if only ''One Line'' in this book, remains in the subconscious of the reader, it could be sufficient to make a child hesitate, and refrain from partaking in any sexual activity. Our objective is for every teenager to carry this spiritual pocketbook around on their person. The objective in our journey is: ·      To find sponsors to purchase 6,700,000 Books. One for each teen’ in our schools throughout the country. ·      Fran Lili (Pty) Ltd. will see to it that the books are delivered to the 28,000 Secondary schools in South Africa. We will supply the sponsors with the proof of delivery. ·      Problem Statement – Why is there a need to implement this project? Our boys and girls are in trouble! Our children need help!! Girls as young as 10 years of age are falling pregnant! We must do something!!!!! We need to find sponsors for 6 700 000 books. Your Company Logo can feature in the book. As they say, “How do you eat an Elephant?” “By taking just one bite at a time!” If only 176 sponsors could donate 38,000 books each, then we will deliver a book into every child’s hand, boys and girls. Be one of the 176 GOLDEN sponsors. The price of an English pocketbook, excl Vat is USD $2,45ea; Rands R43,44. You can donate from as little as 1000 books to 100 000 books and more! To benefit every child, “A Guide for Early Teens Development” has been translated into all the official South African languages and more: For a quote in any other language, or to Donate funds, or to place an order, Contact: henry@fran-lili.com. We are currently delivering 40 000 books to 31 schools and are in negotiation to deliver a further 60 000 books to another 69 schools. PLEASE HELP! Contact Henry Jensen Frandsen.

Project Possible is an innovative collaboration between SWING Thailand, Stichting EqualAF Co.Ltd, NYU, and Evident that will support LGBTQ+ populations that are vulnerable to trafficking in Bangkok and Pattaya. The activities will provide access to safe and sustainable future opportunities that enable participants to leave the risk of trafficking situations. 👷♂️ Our team is hard at work to create the training and tools that will make up the Project Possible activities! We know that trauma-informed care isn’t overly common in supports for boys who have experienced child sexual exploitation and abuse (see our article from last year: https://lnkd.in/guSBCjT8) and as we are researching trauma-informed care for adult and LGBTQ+ trafficking survivors, we are finding the same thing. Truly considering the ways that trauma can impact people is a critical aspect of our theory of change. We know that if you are hypervigilant and worried about your physical and psychological safety, you aren’t going to perform your best at education or vocational training. So we want to properly work with the systems around Project Possible participants. ❗ If you know of any great examples of counter-trafficking programming that has considered the effects of trauma on its beneficiaries, please feel free to share! We would be grateful as we build the Project Possible activities.

Ever wondered what is “The Sex Talk Arabic”? In many Arabic-speaking communities, harmful traditional practices and beliefs about body rights and sexualities persist, especially towards women, leaving many confused, misinformed, and vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Meanwhile, open and honest conversations about sex and sexuality are often missing. This is why we created "The Sex Talk Arabic." Our journey started in 2018 with a private Facebook group focused on raising awareness about sex and sexuality and challenging the myths and traditions that lead to violence against women. Over time, we’ve expanded to multiple social media platforms, providing comprehensive, positive, and inclusive sex education, educational resources, and access to trusted sexual health services — all in Arabic. And we’re just getting started! 🌟 What We Do 🌟 TALK: About our bodies, sexualities, preferences, and experiences without stigma or shame. To normalise the conversation about sex, make it accessible to everyone, and break the taboo surrounding it. Raise awareness: About sexual and reproductive rights and health, LGBTQIA+ rights and health, body autonomy, and causes of sexual violence. All in Arabic and in a simplified way. Educate: About bodies, sex, and sexuality through experts and scientifically-backed sources, analysed through an intersectional feminist lens that fits our contexts and realities, not just copy-paste from Westernised sources of knowledge. Connect: With trusted, safe services that support you in your journey toward owning your body. Join us in leading the SRHR movement in Arabic-speaking societies. Follow us on social media, visit our website for more content and resources, and feel free to reach out with any questions. Our Website: https://lnkd.in/dJrWqAeX Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eXDG7KJX  Facebook: https://lnkd.in/dBQ5PqSV  TikTok: https://lnkd.in/dUQSNVg3  Twitter: https://lnkd.in/dNac6aFN  YouTube: https://lnkd.in/dQ8Pre6t #thesextalk #thesextalkarabic #sexed #sexeducation #sexualhealth #Sexualrights #awareness

Young People Are Still Using Porn As A Primary Learning Tool As this hard hitting piece from Soma Sara, founder of Everyone’s Invited, points out, so much of what is being learnt is harmful, encourages aggression, makes relationships and consent seem uncool, and normalises discomfort and pain (particularly of women & girls). The article offers insights from the lessons and discussions Everyone's Invited holds in 100 schools across the UK [Trigger warning - Sexual violence], including the many misconceptions about sex that they carefully and painstakingly challenge. Sadly, these examples were all too familiar with those addressed in the Beyond Equality workshops, where young men dismantle the messages they’re receiving, such as that being a man involves being dominating, aggressive and unempathetic during sex, or that sex is a conquest and they will be able judge their value as a man based on how many girls they sleep with. Worth noting that this specifically calls to heteronormative behaviours as well. Recently at a BE pupil workshop with Year 12 boys, the boys shared that they feel porn shows men as 'always being up for sex, at any time no matter what' and that this didn't resonate with them. However this echoes another teachers comment in a different school about a conversation with a boy who said 'why do we need consent when everyone wants to have sex any time'. As a society we need to have many many more consent based conversations about sex. There’s a deficit of knowledge and a lack of emotional development to allow empathy in this most intimate of interactions. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gr7VzBYw