The We Care for Kids council uses funding from United Way to help support the presentation of “Bubbylonian Encounter” to 2nd and 3rd graders in all school districts in Montcalm County. The Bubbylonian program is a dramatic skit that demonstrates to children the differences between good touches and bad touches and what to do if they are put in a bad situation. The program demonstrates how to protect themselves from becoming victims and what to do/who to go to if they are a victim of a sexual assault. Approximately 1400 students took part in the Bubbylonian program last year and we estimate that over 1700 will see the program this year.
Children are asked to complete a survey after the presentation. A third grader from one of our local schools shared her thoughts. When asked her favorite part of the play she said she liked it when “bubb” landed and drew a picture to illustrate the part of the show. Her comment on the most important think you learned was, “Not to let people force her into forced sexual touching and what to do if that happens.” She also said, “I would like to tell them (Archie & Bubb) that I will never let anyone tell me a bad secret or force me into bad touching.”
Knowing that our children walk away with this information firmly planted in their minds is exactly why we need to continue with programs like this. Empowering children with this information will help protect them for the e rest of their lives.