Gelisim News

“Child Sexual Abuse and Psycho-Social Approaches Training” was held by IGU

“Child Sexual Abuse and Psycho-Social Approaches Training” was held by Istanbul Gelisim University Vocational School of Health Services for Child Development Program instructors and students. In the event organized to raise awareness, training was given by Asst. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tansel, from the Department of Psychology. Dr. Tansel stated that the most significant point to be made about preventing sexual abuse against children is to be informed and conscious about it.

“Child Sexual Abuse and Psycho-Social Approaches Training” was planned by Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) Continuing Education Center and lasted for two days, was held on 1-2 June 2023 at IGU Mehmet Akif Ersoy Conference Hall.

“It is extremely important to know the characteristics of such people and to understand what kind of attitude and behavior they have.”

Asst. Prof. Dr. Bülent Tansel from the Psychology Department of Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), who made a statement to the participants in the hall about the program before the training, informed about the sensitivity and difficulty of the subject and expressed his thoughts as follows:

“Sexual abuse against children is among the most important issues in our country as well as in the rest of the world. The most crucial point to be made about preventing sexual abuse against children is to be informed and conscious about it. It is extremely important to know the characteristics of such people and to understand what kind of attitude and behavior they have in today's world where child sexual abusers' actions against children are increasing.

Learning the early warning signals!

Knowing the attitudes and behaviors of sexual abusers towards children is of vital importance in combating this issue and in prevention studies.

Dr. Tansel: “Today, it is important to learn the early warning signals in order to understand how and how child sexual abuse is committed, to understand the situations where there is a suspicion of abuse, and to know how to approach children. In this training, an interdisciplinary approach was discussed for the students who will work with children in the pre-school level after graduating from the Child Development Program. Adequate information on the subject was conveyed, studies in the field of practice were shared, effective psycho-social intervention methods were emphasized and field experiences on real cases were included.

“Awareness and sensitivity of child development professionals, who have an important position in preventing child sexual abuse, must be developed”

Stating that new programs are being prepared for the next period in order to increase the number of such trainings, Lect. Merve Mercan, Head of the Child Development Program of IGU: “Child Development associate degree curriculum includes courses on child abuse and neglect. Studies on child sexual abuse in the world and in Türkiye show that there is a serious increase in this issue and the extent of pedophilia cases has reached. Social networks and family factor are also effective in this regard. Child development professionals, who have an important position in preventing child sexual abuse, must raise awareness and sensitivity on this issue. We will continue to organize such trainings throughout their student life so that our students receive a versatile and qualified education.”