Why You MUST Teach Kids Sexual Abuse Prevention Education
1. 20% of girls and 8% of boys will experience childhood sexual abuse before their 18th birthday (Fergusson & Mullen, 1999; NSW Commission for Children & Young People, 2009). 2. Approximately 95% of sex abusers are known to the child (NAPCAN 2009). They will be amongst your family, friends and the community. Remember sexual predators groom both YOU and YOUR CHILD. 3. The most vulnerable age for children to be exposed to sexual abuse is between 3 and 8 years with the majority of onset happening between these ages (Browne & Lynch, 1994). It is NEVER too early to start...
Why You MUST Teach Kids Sexual Abuse Prevention Education
1. 20% of girls and 8% of boys will experience childhood sexual abuse before their 18th birthday (Fergusson & Mullen, 1999; NSW Commission for Children & Young People, 2009). 2. Approximately 95% of sex abusers are known to the child (NAPCAN 2009). They will be amongst your family, friends and the community. Remember sexual predators groom both YOU and YOUR CHILD. 3. The most vulnerable age for children to be exposed to sexual abuse is between 3 and 8 years with the majority of onset happening between these ages (Browne & Lynch, 1994). It is NEVER too early to start...
Body Safety ‘What Ifs?’ for Kids
After children have been taught their Body Safety Rules, ask them these ‘What If?’ questions to reinforce the safety messages learnt. What if? What if someone asks to see your private parts? You know: Your body belongs to you and your private parts are just for you. Say: No! My private parts are just for me. Action: Tell one of the adults on your *Safety Network straightaway. If they don’t believe you, tell another adult on your Safety Network. What if? What if a person tells you to keep a secret that makes you feel uncomfortable and unsafe?...
Body Safety ‘What Ifs?’ for Kids
After children have been taught their Body Safety Rules, ask them these ‘What If?’ questions to reinforce the safety messages learnt. What if? What if someone asks to see your private parts? You know: Your body belongs to you and your private parts are just for you. Say: No! My private parts are just for me. Action: Tell one of the adults on your *Safety Network straightaway. If they don’t believe you, tell another adult on your Safety Network. What if? What if a person tells you to keep a secret that makes you feel uncomfortable and unsafe?...
10 Top Tips to Empower Kids
As parents we want our kids to grow up confident, with an amazing sense of self-worth, a whole lot of resilience and respect for others and the world around them. As adults, we know persistence and tenacity are important traits when the going becomes tough. Children are a blank slate when they are born. It is a scary thought, but in the early years, children will become what adults tell them they are. I have seen this both as an educator and a mother. The child who is told they are stupid and worthless will believe that is what they...
10 Top Tips to Empower Kids
As parents we want our kids to grow up confident, with an amazing sense of self-worth, a whole lot of resilience and respect for others and the world around them. As adults, we know persistence and tenacity are important traits when the going becomes tough. Children are a blank slate when they are born. It is a scary thought, but in the early years, children will become what adults tell them they are. I have seen this both as an educator and a mother. The child who is told they are stupid and worthless will believe that is what they...
Why I Wrote the Children’s Book ‘No Means No!’
About two years ago when I was a substitute teacher in a grade 1 class, I encountered a little girl of around 7 years old. For this blog, let’s call her Karli. Karli was a very shy child (unlike my own three outspoken daughters and myself as a child:)) but I respected this aspect of what I believed to be her innate nature. Karli was also one of those little girls that the boys seem to gravitate towards. Always buzzing around her and wanting to hug, kiss and hold her hand. Karli would respond with coy smiles and allow them...
Why I Wrote the Children’s Book ‘No Means No!’
About two years ago when I was a substitute teacher in a grade 1 class, I encountered a little girl of around 7 years old. For this blog, let’s call her Karli. Karli was a very shy child (unlike my own three outspoken daughters and myself as a child:)) but I respected this aspect of what I believed to be her innate nature. Karli was also one of those little girls that the boys seem to gravitate towards. Always buzzing around her and wanting to hug, kiss and hold her hand. Karli would respond with coy smiles and allow them...
8 Reasons NOT to Call Your Child’s Genitals ‘Pet’ Names
mini cupcake fireman's hose buddy doughnut muffin doodle wee butterfly flower pee-pee fanny doo-dad thingy peanut winky penny-loo tuppence doodle dick rah girl bits mickey twah-lah pee-pee winky-dink hooha pooter front bottom willy sausage cookie As an advocate for Body Safety Education both in homes and schools, I implore you to use the correct anatomical terms...
8 Reasons NOT to Call Your Child’s Genitals ‘Pet’ Names
mini cupcake fireman's hose buddy doughnut muffin doodle wee butterfly flower pee-pee fanny doo-dad thingy peanut winky penny-loo tuppence doodle dick rah girl bits mickey twah-lah pee-pee winky-dink hooha pooter front bottom willy sausage cookie As an advocate for Body Safety Education both in homes and schools, I implore you to use the correct anatomical terms...
So Many Kids and So Many Parents Uneducated in Body Safety
We had a beautiful day here in Melbourne on Sunday. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the grass was green — littered with families picnicking in the magnificent Botanical Gardens. My husband and I wandered the shady paths, taking in all the joy. We even visited the children’s garden — I just love how it has been designed; everything being the perfect size for children! As I looked over the happy families enjoying the very best of Melbourne spring weather, I could not help but think of the statistics we know to be true. One in 5...
So Many Kids and So Many Parents Uneducated in Body Safety
We had a beautiful day here in Melbourne on Sunday. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the grass was green — littered with families picnicking in the magnificent Botanical Gardens. My husband and I wandered the shady paths, taking in all the joy. We even visited the children’s garden — I just love how it has been designed; everything being the perfect size for children! As I looked over the happy families enjoying the very best of Melbourne spring weather, I could not help but think of the statistics we know to be true. One in 5...
Could YOU tell a stranger about your last sexual encounter?
Well… this is EXACTLY what we expect children who have been sexually abused to do! Once (and if) they find the enormous amount of courage to tell a trusted adult (such as a parent or teacher), they will then be expected to relate the sexual abuse to the police. Could you do that? Could you tell a stranger about your last sexual encounter? And would a child even have the vocabulary to do this? Many in the community uneducated in Body Safety Education (www.e2epublishing.info) often ask me, ‘Why don’t children just tell if they are being sexually abused?’ In fact,...
Could YOU tell a stranger about your last sexual encounter?
Well… this is EXACTLY what we expect children who have been sexually abused to do! Once (and if) they find the enormous amount of courage to tell a trusted adult (such as a parent or teacher), they will then be expected to relate the sexual abuse to the police. Could you do that? Could you tell a stranger about your last sexual encounter? And would a child even have the vocabulary to do this? Many in the community uneducated in Body Safety Education (www.e2epublishing.info) often ask me, ‘Why don’t children just tell if they are being sexually abused?’ In fact,...
Who Is Responsible for Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse?
Some advocates believe it is solely an adult’s responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse. While I totally agree that adults must: Educate the child in their care in Body Safety Education Become educated themselves in: grooming techniques used by perpetrators statistics on child sexual abuse the signs that a child is being sexually abused what to do if a child discloses Believe a child when they disclose Educate the wider community in the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse Let friends, family and those who come in contact with their child know that their child is educated in...
Who Is Responsible for Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse?
Some advocates believe it is solely an adult’s responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse. While I totally agree that adults must: Educate the child in their care in Body Safety Education Become educated themselves in: grooming techniques used by perpetrators statistics on child sexual abuse the signs that a child is being sexually abused what to do if a child discloses Believe a child when they disclose Educate the wider community in the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse Let friends, family and those who come in contact with their child know that their child is educated in...
Christmas Body Safety Hints
As XMAS is not far away and children will be on school holidays, please keep the following in mind. 1. ENSURE your child is educated in Body Safety. That is:• They know their body is their body and no-one has the right to touch it .• They have 3 to 5 trusted adults on their Safety Network.• They know never to keep secrets that make them feel bad or uncomfortable.• They know to tell a person on their Safety Network if someone does touch their private parts, asks them to touch their private parts and/or shows them pictures of private...
Christmas Body Safety Hints
As XMAS is not far away and children will be on school holidays, please keep the following in mind. 1. ENSURE your child is educated in Body Safety. That is:• They know their body is their body and no-one has the right to touch it .• They have 3 to 5 trusted adults on their Safety Network.• They know never to keep secrets that make them feel bad or uncomfortable.• They know to tell a person on their Safety Network if someone does touch their private parts, asks them to touch their private parts and/or shows them pictures of private...
Why are educators so hesitant to teach Body Safety Education to the children in their care?
Why are educators so hesitant to teach Body Safety Education to the children in their care? Ninety-nine per cent of educators are wonderful individuals who really care about children. I just think many are terrified of this whole topic. Therefore, I personally have come to these conclusions: (Note: I am very happy for your opinions.) The principal is not enforcing what is actually in the curriculum (Body Safety Education is in every curriculum in Australia; please inbox me if you wish to see my summary document). Because he or she thinks the teachers are already too busy...
Why are educators so hesitant to teach Body Safety Education to the children in their care?
Why are educators so hesitant to teach Body Safety Education to the children in their care? Ninety-nine per cent of educators are wonderful individuals who really care about children. I just think many are terrified of this whole topic. Therefore, I personally have come to these conclusions: (Note: I am very happy for your opinions.) The principal is not enforcing what is actually in the curriculum (Body Safety Education is in every curriculum in Australia; please inbox me if you wish to see my summary document). Because he or she thinks the teachers are already too busy...
12 Important Skills Your Child Will Learn from Body Safety Education
As a teacher, a mother and an advocate for Body Safety Education both at home and at school, I am very proud and very loud about the work I do. As we know from recent media reports, many children have been and are silent victims of sexual abuse. This needs to change. Our children need to be loud and proud that they are educated in Body Safety. This sends a very clear message to sex offenders that children today are empowered and know to tell! Here are 12 important skills your child will learn when educated in Body Safety. 1....
12 Important Skills Your Child Will Learn from Body Safety Education
As a teacher, a mother and an advocate for Body Safety Education both at home and at school, I am very proud and very loud about the work I do. As we know from recent media reports, many children have been and are silent victims of sexual abuse. This needs to change. Our children need to be loud and proud that they are educated in Body Safety. This sends a very clear message to sex offenders that children today are empowered and know to tell! Here are 12 important skills your child will learn when educated in Body Safety. 1....
Top 15 Must-Have Children’s Books on Personal Safety and Emotional Health
Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse 1. Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept is a beautifully illustrated picture book that sensitively broaches the subject of keeping our children safe from inappropriate touch. We teach water safety and road safety but how do we teach 'body safety' to young children in a way that is neither frightening nor confronting? This book is an invaluable tool for parents, caregivers, teachers and health professionals. The comprehensive notes to the reader and discussion questions at the back of the book support both the reader and...
Top 15 Must-Have Children’s Books on Personal Safety and Emotional Health
Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse 1. Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept is a beautifully illustrated picture book that sensitively broaches the subject of keeping our children safe from inappropriate touch. We teach water safety and road safety but how do we teach 'body safety' to young children in a way that is neither frightening nor confronting? This book is an invaluable tool for parents, caregivers, teachers and health professionals. The comprehensive notes to the reader and discussion questions at the back of the book support both the reader and...