Which Child is Being Sexually Abused?
I am currently back teaching, working daily with 24 + active kids ranging from 5 to 12 years. I am loving every moment of their raucous enthusiasm and their overall joy of learning… but as I instruct, laugh at their bubbly chatter and generally call for order, at the back of my mind something more sinister has been nagging at me. Finally, after a few weeks of in and out of various classrooms, I faced up to what I know to be true. Of a classroom I may enter of 24, six year olds — 3 of the girls and...
Which Child is Being Sexually Abused?
I am currently back teaching, working daily with 24 + active kids ranging from 5 to 12 years. I am loving every moment of their raucous enthusiasm and their overall joy of learning… but as I instruct, laugh at their bubbly chatter and generally call for order, at the back of my mind something more sinister has been nagging at me. Finally, after a few weeks of in and out of various classrooms, I faced up to what I know to be true. Of a classroom I may enter of 24, six year olds — 3 of the girls and...
My Body is MY Body Safety Song
This little song “My Body is MY Body” written by Debra Byrne and Jayneen Sanders (author of Some Secrets Should Never Be kept) can make a huge difference to the safety of our children. The song; sung by Debra’s daughter, grandson and neighbour, provides kids with knowledge about their body ownership and their rights in relation to their body. Knowledge is a powerful tool and as a community, we have a duty of care to empower the children under our protection. For too long we have left children unprotected without any knowledge of their rights in relation to...
My Body is MY Body Safety Song
This little song “My Body is MY Body” written by Debra Byrne and Jayneen Sanders (author of Some Secrets Should Never Be kept) can make a huge difference to the safety of our children. The song; sung by Debra’s daughter, grandson and neighbour, provides kids with knowledge about their body ownership and their rights in relation to their body. Knowledge is a powerful tool and as a community, we have a duty of care to empower the children under our protection. For too long we have left children unprotected without any knowledge of their rights in relation to...
PLEASE Believe a Child Who Reveals Sexual Abuse
A young face peered out at me yesterday on my Newsfeed. Her name was Jade. She had a heart-shaped pixie face with eyes red-rimmed. If our eyes are the window to the soul, than this 16-year old soul was deeply distressed. Jade’s story on Facebook had been written by her friend. The language was not sophisticated but the story tore deep into my heart. Jade had been raped repeatedly by her uncle from the age of six. After years and years of abuse she finally told her family, only to not be believed. Some months later, Jade showed them...
PLEASE Believe a Child Who Reveals Sexual Abuse
A young face peered out at me yesterday on my Newsfeed. Her name was Jade. She had a heart-shaped pixie face with eyes red-rimmed. If our eyes are the window to the soul, than this 16-year old soul was deeply distressed. Jade’s story on Facebook had been written by her friend. The language was not sophisticated but the story tore deep into my heart. Jade had been raped repeatedly by her uncle from the age of six. After years and years of abuse she finally told her family, only to not be believed. Some months later, Jade showed them...
In light of the Rolf Harris allegations…
In light of the Rolf Harris allegations... as parents and educators we need to listen up! Whether Rolf Harris proves to be guilty or not, what this media coverage highlights is a pedophile can be anyone. The sexual abuse of children has no social boundaries — 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Australia Institute of Criminology 2004) and in 93% of cases (and they are only the reported cases) the child knows and trusts the perpetrator. Pedophiles are in our community. And to be blunt, they may well be in...
In light of the Rolf Harris allegations…
In light of the Rolf Harris allegations... as parents and educators we need to listen up! Whether Rolf Harris proves to be guilty or not, what this media coverage highlights is a pedophile can be anyone. The sexual abuse of children has no social boundaries — 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused before their 18th birthday (Australia Institute of Criminology 2004) and in 93% of cases (and they are only the reported cases) the child knows and trusts the perpetrator. Pedophiles are in our community. And to be blunt, they may well be in...
Top 10 Books to Teach 'Body Safety' to Kids
Keeping Kids Safe from Inappropriate Touch We teach our children water safety and road safety — it is equally important to teach our children ‘body safety’ from a very young age. As both a teacher and a mother, I strongly recommend to all parents that ‘body safety’ become a normal part of your parenting conversation. The sexual abuse of children has no social boundaries, and providing children with body safety skills empowers them with knowledge of what is good and bad touch. The statistics of 1 in 3 girls and I in 6 boys will be sexually interfered with before their...
Top 10 Books to Teach 'Body Safety' to Kids
Keeping Kids Safe from Inappropriate Touch We teach our children water safety and road safety — it is equally important to teach our children ‘body safety’ from a very young age. As both a teacher and a mother, I strongly recommend to all parents that ‘body safety’ become a normal part of your parenting conversation. The sexual abuse of children has no social boundaries, and providing children with body safety skills empowers them with knowledge of what is good and bad touch. The statistics of 1 in 3 girls and I in 6 boys will be sexually interfered with before their...
Age Appropriate and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior of Children
Normal sexual behavior Children have a natural curiosity about their bodies and sex. This is normal. If you see any of the following behaviors, try not to react in a negative way. Sexual curiosity is how children learn about their gender. Age appropriate sexual behavior can be as follows: • babies, toddlers and young children exploring their genitals and enjoying being naked • questions about why boy’s have a penis and girls don’t, i.e. trying to work out the difference between what it is to be male and what it is to be female • young children of a similar...
Age Appropriate and Inappropriate Sexual Behavior of Children
Normal sexual behavior Children have a natural curiosity about their bodies and sex. This is normal. If you see any of the following behaviors, try not to react in a negative way. Sexual curiosity is how children learn about their gender. Age appropriate sexual behavior can be as follows: • babies, toddlers and young children exploring their genitals and enjoying being naked • questions about why boy’s have a penis and girls don’t, i.e. trying to work out the difference between what it is to be male and what it is to be female • young children of a similar...
An important question on sexual abuse prevention education
Of late, as an author and an advocate of sexual abuse prevention education, I have been asking myself a fundamental, yet very important question. A question that links to the reason why no publisher wished to publish my children’s book on sexual abuse prevention education, and why one bookshop refused to have me do a reading in their store! Quote: “Parents won’t perceive this topic very well." My question is: Why don’t parents teach body safety to their kids? Or even: Why do they actually even hesitate? To me, it is a no brainer. Prevention education is key. Prevention education...
An important question on sexual abuse prevention education
Of late, as an author and an advocate of sexual abuse prevention education, I have been asking myself a fundamental, yet very important question. A question that links to the reason why no publisher wished to publish my children’s book on sexual abuse prevention education, and why one bookshop refused to have me do a reading in their store! Quote: “Parents won’t perceive this topic very well." My question is: Why don’t parents teach body safety to their kids? Or even: Why do they actually even hesitate? To me, it is a no brainer. Prevention education is key. Prevention education...
Learning the First 100 Sight Words
When my daughters were in their first year of school, every week they would come home with a list of sight words to learn (often known as ‘the golden words’) — words such as ‘and’, ‘was’ and ‘put’. If you have ever had a child in their first year of school, you will KNOW what I am talking about! When my eldest daughter arrived home with her first list, she tried desperately to memorise each word so she could move to the next list the following week. At this time, she barely knew how to read and had limited knowledge...
Learning the First 100 Sight Words
When my daughters were in their first year of school, every week they would come home with a list of sight words to learn (often known as ‘the golden words’) — words such as ‘and’, ‘was’ and ‘put’. If you have ever had a child in their first year of school, you will KNOW what I am talking about! When my eldest daughter arrived home with her first list, she tried desperately to memorise each word so she could move to the next list the following week. At this time, she barely knew how to read and had limited knowledge...
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zone
As I find myself, and the children’s book I have written, more and more in the media, I find I am well and truly out of my comfort zone. I am by no means media savvy. Prior to the book’s publication, I have never spoken on the radio (well, once on talkback and I became so nervous I hung up) or been on TV. I am just your ordinary, everyday mother of three and primary school teacher. So when asked to talk on radio or television my nerves really start to kick in, and I am well and truly out...
Coming Out of Our Comfort Zone
As I find myself, and the children’s book I have written, more and more in the media, I find I am well and truly out of my comfort zone. I am by no means media savvy. Prior to the book’s publication, I have never spoken on the radio (well, once on talkback and I became so nervous I hung up) or been on TV. I am just your ordinary, everyday mother of three and primary school teacher. So when asked to talk on radio or television my nerves really start to kick in, and I am well and truly out...
Tips to Help Children Stay Calm
At this time of year with the transition from holidays to returning to school, it's no surprise that we typically see some big emotions from the children in our lives – it can be intense for everyone, including the adults! Here are some tips to help with the overwhelm and assist children with staying calm amongst the chaos (keeping in mind that every child is different): 1. Quiet time - carve out some time each day for your child to have some screen-free time to themselves. Perhaps they have a favourite space - a chair to sink into or...
Tips to Help Children Stay Calm
At this time of year with the transition from holidays to returning to school, it's no surprise that we typically see some big emotions from the children in our lives – it can be intense for everyone, including the adults! Here are some tips to help with the overwhelm and assist children with staying calm amongst the chaos (keeping in mind that every child is different): 1. Quiet time - carve out some time each day for your child to have some screen-free time to themselves. Perhaps they have a favourite space - a chair to sink into or...