How to Talk to Your Child About Eve Teasing: A Parent’s Guide

As parents, we want our children to feel safe and confident in the world, but sometimes, difficult topics like eve teasing can be tricky to bring up. Whether it’s unwanted comments, staring, or inappropriate gestures, eve teasing is, unfortunately, something many children, especially girls, face as they grow up.

You don’t need to wait until your child is a teenager to talk about personal boundaries and respectful behaviour. For younger kids, frame it as a conversation about kindness, personal space, and speaking up when something feels uncomfortable. As they grow older, you can introduce real-world scenarios and discuss how to handle them.

Your child should feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns. Instead of making it a lecture, have casual discussions—maybe while driving or during dinner. Ask open-ended questions like, “Has anyone ever made you feel uncomfortable at school or outside?” Let them share their experiences without fear of blame or judgement.

Your child may not know the term, but they’ve likely seen or experienced something similar. Explain it in simple terms: “Eve teasing is when someone says or does something that makes another person feel uncomfortable, especially in a way that isn’t respectful.” Give examples, such as catcalling, inappropriate jokes, or someone invading personal space.

Children often sense when something is off but may not know how to react. Teach them to listen to their gut feelings—if a situation makes them uneasy, they should remove themselves or seek help. Reassure them that their feelings are valid and that they should never ignore discomfort.

Many children freeze up in uncomfortable situations. Practice responses with them, such as:

• “Please stop. That’s not okay.”

• “I don’t like that. Leave me alone.”

• Walking away confidently without engaging further.

For more serious situations, let them know they can always call you or seek help from a trusted adult.

Many children hesitate to report incidents because they fear being blamed. Make it clear that if someone makes them uncomfortable, it’s not their fault. Encourage them to talk to you, a teacher, or another trusted adult whenever they need support.

If your child witnesses eve teasing happening to someone else, what should they do? Teach them to be an ally—whether it’s by supporting their friend, calling out inappropriate behaviour, or informing an adult. Let them know that silence often allows bad behaviour to continue.

Children learn a lot by observing. Make sure you’re setting an example by treating everyone with respect and challenging inappropriate comments or behaviour when you see them. This helps normalise standing up for what’s right.

Sometimes, just looking confident can deter unwanted behaviour. Encourage good posture, eye contact, and a strong voice when speaking. Enrolling your child in self-defence classes can also be a great way to build confidence and equip them with skills to handle uncomfortable situations.

One conversation isn’t enough. As your child grows, they will face different situations, so keep checking in. Ask how they feel, if they’ve encountered anything concerning, and remind them that they can always talk to you.

Eve teasing is a serious issue, but by having open and supportive conversations, you can help your child feel prepared, confident, and safe. The goal isn’t to make them fearful, it’s to empower them to navigate the world with awareness and self-assurance.

So, start the conversation today. Your child needs to know they’re never alone in this.