Schools in the North and East zones of Manaus, as well as in cities such as Borba, Autazes, Parintins, and Boa Vista in Roraima, Brazil, learned about the Quebrando o Silêncio (Breaking the Silence) campaign. Lectures and fun programs, such as the "Doll Tea" for girls and the "Car Meeting" for boys, addressed sensitive topics such as child sexual abuse in a fun and educational way.

Jaqueline Bacelar, project speaker and leader responsible for organizing campaign activities in five schools in the eastern part of Manaus, highlights the importance of children correctly identifying their genitals. “Parents often use invented names for the genitals and end up forgetting to teach them the correct name. This is crucial to ensure that the child is not deceived by others,” she explains.

The activities were attended by the lively Turma do Nosso Amiguinho (Our Little Friend Gang), who distributed more than 8,000 children's magazines from the project and 1,000 copies of the Turminha magazine. Manuela Chagas, 10 years old, shared her experience. “My mother always explains to me about the places that no one can touch, but it is important to talk about it at school too. That way it is harder to forget. I really enjoyed this activity. I learned that my body is a treasure and that I need to take care of it”, she highlights.

For the teachers, the visit by the Seventh-day Adventist Church Women’s Ministry teams was a valuable contribution. “Whenever we have the opportunity to receive projects like this, we open our doors, because it complements what we already do in the classroom. This type of work requires dedication and consistency, so setting aside quality time is essential. We are grateful for the partnership,” says Lidia Mara, principal of one of the schools.

Meiryanny Moraes, who heads the Breaking the Silence project in eastern and northern Amazonas, notes that the 2024 movement was especially intense. “This year’s theme is very delicate and requires care, extra attention, and sensitivity. Therefore, it was not easy to get into schools, but thank God we were able to reach an excellent number of children and young people who, without a doubt, now have crucial information stored,” she explains.

About the Project

Created in 2002 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Breaking the Silence project aims to combat and raise awareness about various forms of violence, with a special focus on child sexual abuse, domestic violence, and bullying. The initiative leads educational activities, lectures, seminars, and online campaigns to inform society about the signs of abuse and promote the prevention and reporting of these crimes.

The campaign takes place annually in eight South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay). It also involves the distribution of informational materials and the mobilization of communities to protect and support victims of violence.

The original article was published on the South American Division Portuguese website.