Resource Of the Week: Safe Secure Kids – Free Resources for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators

As we begin Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, we want to take a moment and talk about some ways that, as adults, we can help prevent sexual abuse for the next generation by educating children about consent and respect. We know that starting this conversation can feel intimidating; you may be thinking “What do I say? How do I put it in words they’ll understand? What topics do I need to cover?”. Luckily, we’ve got some tips to get you started!

• Start by teaching your child that each person’s body belongs to themselves, and each person gets to make decisions about what happens to it. This message is the foundation of consent, body respect, and autonomy!
• Teach your child that no one should touch them without their permission, and that saying “no” to touches is not rude. You can model this by asking questions like “Would you like a hug?” and respecting their answer!
• Remind your child that, just as nobody gets to touch them without permission, they should also practice asking for permission before touching others.
• Reinforce that they can ask for help from a trusted adult if they have questions or concerns about touching, bodies, or asking for permission.
  • Many people will tell children “You have to tell an adult if someone touches you”. However, there are lots of times where a child will not tell an adult right away when non-consensual touch occurs, and this language may make them feel like they’ve done something wrong or will be in trouble for not telling sooner if they do decide to speak up. The language of “telling” may also evoke messages about “snitching” or “tattling”. For these reasons, we recommend “You can ask for help” instead of “you have to tell”.