Training on child protection for 31 students of Hope School

 That was also the key message explored by 31 students at Hope Primary, Secondary and High School (Da Nang city) during a Child Protection training session held as part of the Scarlet sails project, jointly implemented by the For Vietnamese Stature Foundation (VSF) and Hope School. Ms. Tran Hong Diep, Gender and Child Protection Specialist and Director of VSF, was the facilitator of the training.

Through the training session, the students learned how to recognize different forms of school violence and child sexual abuse, while also gaining a better understanding of personal boundaries. They also discussed the consequences of harmful behaviors, helping them develop an attitude of not accepting or remaining silent in the face of violence, and learn how to seek safe support when necessary.

Rather than receiving knowledge in a one-way format, the students also took part in role-playing activities, discussions, and hands-on exercises based on situations close to everyday life. From school violence to situations that may involve risks of sexual abuse, these interactive activities helped the students better understand the emotions and harm experienced by those involved, while also practicing how to protect themselves, speak up, and seek safe support when needed.

I really enjoyed today’s training session. I learned about rules such as the five circles of personal boundaries and the three-step safety rule: say no, leave, and tell a trusted adult - things I didn’t know before. With the rules and knowledge taught today, I feel safer and know better how to protect myself,” Gia Linh, a sixth-grade student, shared.

Previously, as part of the Scarlet sails project, the students also participated in training sessions on gender and gender equality - an important foundation for building a school environment where differences are respected.

The training session was also accompanied by Dr. Pham Thi Xuan Loc, Head of the Psychology and Health Unit at Hope School. She participated throughout the session, listening, sharing, and supporting the students along the way.

“The training sessions implemented at Hope School through Project ‘Scarlet Sails’ have so far brought very useful knowledge to both teachers and students at the school. We sincerely thank For Vietnamese Stature Foundation for accompanying us and bringing more meaningful classes like these to the students,” Dr. Xuan Loc shared.

Children need a safe space where they can grow, speak up, and be protected. VSF is very happy to be able to join Hope School in contributing a small part to nurturing that space.