Tips to Parents
Listen and talk with your child. Communication with your children is the best defense against child sexual abuse. This is a challenge for every parent, especially for parents of adolescents or parents who work. Below are some tips to help enhance communication between you and your child.
Talk to your child every day and take time to really listen and observe. Learn as many details as you can about your child’s activities and feelings. Encourage him or her to share concerns and problems with you.
Explain to your child that his or her body belongs only to them. Let your child know that he or she has the right to say “no” if someone tries to touch them.
Discuss with your child that some adults may try to hurt children and make them do things they don’t feel comfortable doing. Often, these adults will say that what they are doing is a “secret” and that the child should not tell anyone about their “secret”.
Explain that these adults may threaten children by saying that the child’s parent may be hurt or killed if the child ever tells the parent or anyone else about their “secret.” Emphasize that an adult who does something like this is doing something wrong.
Tell your child that adults whom they know, trust and love might try to make them do things they don’t feel comfortable doing. Mention to your child that sometimes adults in a position of authority (like a baby-sitter, an uncle, a teacher or even a policeman) might also try to hurt them. Emphasize that most adults would never do anything to harm a child.
Give your children information about privacy rules and what kind of touching is okay and not okay. Make sure everybody follows the rules.
A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm
KidsHealth Internet Safety
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html
WebWiseKids Internet Safety
http://www.webwisekids.org
