MANAMA: Nongovernmental organizations in Saudi Arabia have approached a Bahraini group to train children on ways to protect themselves from abusers. The Be Free Center in Manama is working on a comprehensive training strategy specifically geared for Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi activists were impressed by our workshops for children in Bahrain. We have trained thousands of kids on protection against abusers, who could be anyone from strangers to family members,” said Rana Al-Sairafi, manager of the Be Free Center. She said the center trained 80 children in Saudi Arabia at a workshop in Qatif last year.
Al-Sairafi said they received a good response from Saudi kindergartens, which insisted the topic be discussed among children. “Children comprise a vulnerable group targeted by abusers. We are now working on a plan to conduct such workshops in several malls in Saudi Arabia. At present we plan to hold workshops in two malls,” said Al-Sairafi.
The center has trained over 9,000 children in Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
