Keeping children safe from child sexual abuse

There are many things you can do to help protect your children and teens safe from sexual abuse.

For younger children

• Encourage children's curiosity about their own bodies.
  • Teach them the correct names of all their body parts.
  • If you talk comfortably, it will be easier for them to tell you their concerns.
• Explain that no-one has the right to touch or ask to see their private parts without good reason (such as when they are at the doctors).
• Explain that no-one has the right to show their private parts.
• Tell them they can refuse to do or look at anything with an adult or child that they feel is wrong or frightens them.
• We can encourage them to say “No”; however, it is hard for a child to say no to a bigger child or an adult.
• Encourage them to tell you whenever they are worried about what others want them to do. 
• Explain that sometimes adults do things that are not OK and they should tell you if this happens.
• Respect your child's wishes to not kiss or cuddle.
• Many abusers make children keep their abuse a secret, often using threats.
  • Teach your family the rule - it's ok to keep surprises but not to keep secrets.
  • A surprise is something nice (like a surprise birthday party) that you only have to keep to yourself for a little while and will make someone feel good when they find out.
  • Secrets are often asked to be kept forever and are likely to make someone feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.
• Work out with your child which key people they can trust (both inside and outside of the family) to ask for help if they are frightened and you aren't there.
• Think about who you trust to look after your children or to be alone with them.

Safety checklist for your child

For older children

• Know about your children's daily world – where they are and who they are with.
• Know how they use the internet – what websites, social media apps and games do they use?
• Be aware of the games that have text and video chat features.
• Talk to them about the kinds of things they share online.
  • Online predators can turn 'innocent' chat into sexual chat and image sharing very quickly.
• Show them how to share their location on their phone with you (and ensure that they aren't sharing their location with people they don't know and trust).
• Show them how to send a 'coded' text message or phone call if they need a way out of a tricky situation.
  • For example, your child's friends are pressuring them to get in the car with someone they don't feel comfortable with.
  • They send you a message with the code word and this is your signal to phone them and tell them that for family reasons they have to come and get them immediately.