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...
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...
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...
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...
I Am ANGRY About Child Sexual Abuse!
I am angry! And I need you to be angry with me. I need — we need — societal outrage to stop the sexual abuse of children. We need caring adults to say, ‘Enough!’ Our fear of this topic is nothing compared to the fear of the 1 in 3 girls and the 1 in 6 boys who are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993). If this topic makes you feel uncomfortable… well imagine how a sexually abused child feels. I challenge you to look this crime directly in the eye and help me,...
I Am ANGRY About Child Sexual Abuse!
I am angry! And I need you to be angry with me. I need — we need — societal outrage to stop the sexual abuse of children. We need caring adults to say, ‘Enough!’ Our fear of this topic is nothing compared to the fear of the 1 in...
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:...
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...
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...
Protect Your Child from Sexual Abuse
The statistics on the sexual abuse of children are staggering. Some estimates place the incidence as high as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993). As parents, teachers and community members, what can we do to ensure both our children and children we come in contact with are protected, informed and safe? These 4 key points are crucial. 1. Education Learn how to protect your child from sexual abuse by educating them in Body Safety, and educating yourself and your community. 2. Awareness Become aware of...
Protect Your Child from Sexual Abuse
The statistics on the sexual abuse of children are staggering. Some estimates place the incidence as high as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993). As parents, teachers and community members, what can we do to...
Pedophiles Groom Both the Child and the Family
Up to 95% of child sexual abusers are male (Bagley, 1995). They can be single, married and have families of their own. Up to 1/3 of reported offenses are committed by adolescents (Bagley, 1995). 95% of abusers will be known to the family (Child Protection Council, 1993). They will be a trusted friend and/or family member. Need more convincing? Check out our Statistics page... It is crucial to note, that child sex offenders ‘groom’ both the child and the family. It is also important to note, that the sexual abuse of children has no social boundaries. Child sexual offenders...
Pedophiles Groom Both the Child and the Family
Up to 95% of child sexual abusers are male (Bagley, 1995). They can be single, married and have families of their own. Up to 1/3 of reported offenses are committed by adolescents (Bagley, 1995). 95% of abusers will be known to the family (Child Protection Council, 1993). They will be...
Mindful, Resilient and Focused Learners
As a mother of three teenage daughters and an experienced elementary school teacher, I am deeply concerned about our kids. Let me explain. Children today live in a world filled with technology — ipad interaction from birth, social media from pre-teens and access to everything and anything on the Internet from a very young age. Don’t get me wrong, as a teacher I know technology can be an amazing tool for learning. Extraordinary really. What does deeply trouble me, is the negative aspect of child/learner interaction with technology. I have come back to teaching after four years away. What I...
Mindful, Resilient and Focused Learners
As a mother of three teenage daughters and an experienced elementary school teacher, I am deeply concerned about our kids. Let me explain. Children today live in a world filled with technology — ipad interaction from birth, social media from pre-teens and access to everything and anything on the Internet...
10 Confronting Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
1. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993) 2. In 95% of cases, the sexual offender is known to the child, that is, they are a relative or trusted friend. Only 5% of child sexual assault cases are ‘stranger danger’. (Child protection Council, 1993) 3. 84% of sexual victimization of children under 12 occurs in a residence. (Snyder, 2000) 4. 453 pedophiles revealed they were collectively responsible for the molestation of over 67,000 children; that averages 148 children per individual. (Abel, 1994) 5. The...
10 Confronting Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
1. 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. (Aust. Institute of Criminology, 1993) 2. In 95% of cases, the sexual offender is known to the child, that is, they are a relative or trusted friend. Only 5% of child...