Even non-employees on KTJ's campus, such as visiting coaches, vendors, suppliers and others are required to undergo Safeguarding training. 

"In our weekly PSHE (Personal, Social, Health Education) sessions, we educate our students about Safeguarding. We highlight what is acceptable and what is not, in terms of adult behaviour and peer-to-peer relationship," he adds. 

"We teach them about grooming and internet safety. We highlight the dangers of unrestricted use of the internet, and we discuss consent and sexual harassment through sex education. We raise awareness about bullying and we don't shy away from difficult topics like depression and anxiety. 

"Ultimately, we highlight laws which are relevant to them and we teach them their rights under the United Nations CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child)." 

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KTJ students are consistently reminded of communication channels that are available to them to voice out their concerns to an adult safely and discreetly, while two counsellors are always available to listen to them. Just as importantly, the Safeguarding Committee has also set up a dedicated email address and phone number for students to make reports anonymously.

"We would rather they raise their concerns to someone, be it in school or elsewhere, than keep the concerns to themselves. We give our assurance that victims and upstanders who make a report are safeguarded for as long as it is needed," adds Naidu.          

From the 'Talking Corner' at its Elementary School to school-wide initiatives like Mental Health Week or Anti-Bullying Week, it's clear that St. Joseph's Institution International School Malaysia (SJIIS) doesn't shy away from talking about important issues. 

"In order for children to develop and mature as people, they must feel that their environment is nurturing. They must feel that they can take risks and grow," says Gary Cairns, assistant principal (character development and wellbeing) and a member of the founding team at SJIIS. "It's important to educate children, not just about issues, but how they can get support and how we will support them. We teach the children that even if you block someone, you can’t necessarily block out how you feel about something that has happened."  

SJIIS's Safeguard Committee also meets weekly to share best practices, review policies, conduct staff trainings and to discuss the overall personal safety of the students. All teaching and administrative staff at the school receive the proper safeguarding training, ensuring that anyone in contact with the students is also trained to recognise signs of abuse, whether it is physical abuse, neglect or an experience of inappropriate behaviour from an adult.

"Our senior leaders, who are involved in the recruitment of teachers, have received safer recruitment training to ensure, as much as possible, that we recruit people who are safe to work with children," adds Cairns, who also teaches English at the school. "Recently, all of our assistant principals completed a course on Safer Recruitment with the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) from the UK." 

Additionally, sessions on important topics like online sexual harassment are conducted among high school students, covering issues that include unwanted sexualisation, non-consensual sharing of images, and sexualised bullying.           

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Having learnt to identify various forms of harassment—online or in person—SJIIS students are ensured a clear and discreet array of avenues through which they can voice out their complaints.    

"In our sessions on topics such as Online Sexual Harassment, we always include clear explanations of who children can talk to should they wish to share concerns about inappropriate behaviour towards them by anyone, not just adults but also peers," shares Cairns. "We explain to students that we will take the issue seriously, we will respect their privacy and choices, and we will discuss ways in which we can support them and ways we can help stop the behaviour.

"We will never talk about the incident with other staff or dismiss the incident as a joke."

Throughout the school, posters clearly indicate the names and photos of staff to whom the children can speak regarding their concerns. Whether it is to a trusted teacher, a form tutor, their Head of Year or a Safeguarding Officer, students are encouraged to speak out about personal experiences and even be bold enough to call out instances of inappropriate behaviour.

"We should focus on ensuring our students feel empowered to firmly make a stand and be confident to stand up for themselves and each other," adds Cairns. "They should call out unwanted behaviour whether it is targeted at them or others, and encourage their peers to talk to someone and report it." 

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Despite the usefulness of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and others in spreading awareness about these issues, educators are increasingly aware of the safety risks that social media pose to students, especially at a time when online learning and digital conversations are more heavily used than ever.

"I think many young people have found their voice and are speaking out, and I applaud that," Cairns says. "Ultimately, we need to empower young people to exercise wisdom in how they behave and how they respond to things that they know are wrong. We understand the pressure parents face to keep up with their children’s social media usage, but it is very, very important to do so. Encourage transparency with your children. Encourage openness and, even when you are emotional, take a deep breath and listen to your child’s experience."

As educational institutions adapt to evolving challenges, educators are faced with the weighty task of identifying pain points, offering counselling and support to students while also giving them the confidence to speak up when confronted with subtle forms of harassment and inappropriate behaviour. 

"As teachers, we must also pay attention to changes in students' behaviour," adds Naidu. "Sudden or gradual changes over time in mood or conduct, sullen behaviour, withdrawal from social events, drop in academic performance, absence from lessons, increased dependency on mobile devices, lack of engagement, unhealthy diet or lack of appetite, sitting alone—all these may be indicative of a child at risk."

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