How Mumbai Police’s ‘Police Didi’ initiative spreads ‘good touch, bad touch‘ education in schools and uncovers sexual assault cases

Earlier this month, over 100 students from a school in the Pydhonie area of south Mumbai participated in an important awareness programme organised by the Nirbhaya Squad of Mumbai Police, a dedicated team of police officials, especially women cops to attend complaints from women in the city. The event mainly focussed on 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' taught young students about the importance of knowing about the boundaries and appropriate behaviour from a person towards them.

The 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' is one of the many programmes that Mumbai Police have undertaken to spread awareness among school children about sexual abuse.

The programme aims to educate students on various crucial topics related to personal safety and security. The ongoing sessions at many schools in Mumbai cover essential subjects such as good touch-bad touch, recent laws protecting women, travel safety, self-defence techniques, child sexual abuse awareness, social media precautions, and cyber security, an official said.

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He added that a key part of the programme was informing students about emergency helpline numbers. The Nirbhaya Squad shared the numbers for immediate assistance: 100 for general emergencies, 103 for women's safety and 1098 for the Child Helpline.

Badlapur sexual assault case revived 'Police Didi' awareness campaigns

The awareness campaigns, which were planned and carried out at many city schools extensively in the years 2007-2008, gradually lost their appeal. But, after two young girls in a Badlapur school were allegedly sexually assaulted by a cleaning staff member last month, they have been given new life, sources said.

The Badlapur sexual assault incident came to light after one of the kids revealed it to her parents. When her parents spoke to the other child's family, they said their daughter was scared of going to school. The parents of both the kids then approached the police, where a case was filed against the accused, a school staffer who was later arrested by the police.

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The incident also outraged locals who blocked the tracks of Badlapur railway station to protest against the sexual assault of two children, aged four years, by a 23-year-old attendant in their school's washroom.

"The 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' programme, aims to equip children with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate complex social interactions safely. Implementing such programs in schools is crucial for fostering a safe learning environment and empowering children to protect themselves against abuse and inappropriate behaviour," said an official.

He explained that the 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' concept is designed to help children differentiate between physical interactions that are acceptable and those that are inappropriate or harmful. Good touch refers to physical interactions that are safe, consensual, and nurturing, such as hugs from family members or friendly pats on the back. Bad touch, on the other hand, encompasses physical interactions that are unwanted, intrusive, or abusive, such as touching that makes a child feel uncomfortable or frightened. The goal is to provide children with a clear understanding of their boundaries and to recognise the difference between safe and unsafe physical contact. By doing so, it helps children build self-confidence and assertiveness, making it easier for them to communicate when they feel their boundaries are being violated.

Schools' role in implementation of 'Police Didi' programme vital

A retired senior Mumbai Police official said that schools play a vital role in the successful implementation of the 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' programme. Educational institutions are not only centres of academic learning but also places where children develop socially and emotionally. Incorporating personal safety education into the school curriculum ensures that children are equipped with essential knowledge from a young age. By introducing the 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' programme, educational institutions may address the foundation for healthy interpersonal relationships and personal safety awareness. Age-appropriate lessons and activities help children understand and internalise the principles of consent, personal space, and respectful behaviour.

In younger children, lessons might involve simple explanations and role-playing exercises to demonstrate appropriate and inappropriate touches, he said.

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Recalling an incident in the year 2018, the official said, "The police had then launched a programme called 'Police Didi' that mainly focussed on 'Good Touch, Bad Touch'. Following a Police Didi session on November 15, 2018, a 13-year-old student at a school in Andheri broke down and informed the police about the sexual assault she had been subjected to for the previous year at the hands of a "neighbour uncle," shocking the D N Nagar police team and the school staffers. The goal of the hour-long lesson was to raise minor kids' understanding of 'good touch and bad touch' but it turned out to uncover a case of sexual assault with a minor. The girl, then a student of Class VIII narrated the incident to a woman cop and after receiving the information from the child, the police team contacted Versova police, and on November 20, an FIR was filed, leading to the culprit, a 35-year-old man, being taken into custody and later being arrested.

Police Didi campaign beneficial in early crime detection

The Mumbai Police had launched the Police Didi campaign in the year 2016.

Another official said that the primary objective of the 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' programme at schools is to foster a safe and supportive learning environment. By educating students about personal safety and boundaries, schools create an atmosphere where children feel empowered to speak up if they experience or witness inappropriate behaviour they are also taught to speak up even if they are threatened to not speak about the acts. The proactive approach helps prevent instances of abuse and misconduct.

He said that the programmes including 'Good Touch, Bad Touch' are extremely beneficial in early crime detection and protection of children being subjected to sexual abuse.