Protective behaviours
Protective behaviours
A secret safe to tell
A picture book that tells the author's personal story of child sexual abuse. The story is told gently without specifically mentioning sexual touch specifically. It encourages conversations about body safety, the importance of not keeping secrets and confiding in trusted adults if something is making you uncomfortable.
Because it's my body!
Topics: protective behaviours, child abuse prevention, bodily autonomy, safety, art.
Fiction
Focusing on empowerment and prevention, this approachable book gives young children a way to reject unwanted, possibly harmful physical contact by adults and other kids.
Age: 4 to 7 years.
Everyone's got a bottom
A picture book to start conversations about public and private body parts, introducing the concept of protective behaviours. Written in a light and positive tone.
Let's talk about the birds and the bees
Non-fiction
Cartoon illustrated book for parents to read to children about differences between male and female reproductive systems, private body parts, sexual intercourse, love, puberty, what touching is ok/not ok, families. Simple facts as a starting point for conversations.
Book review by Cath Hak 6min (external link)
Age: Parents and teachers of 4 to 11 year olds.
Let's talk about where babies come from
Non-fiction
Comics and cartoons outlining: similarities and differences between girls and boys, growing up, reproductive organs, how babies are made, what sex is, what is love, same sex attraction, conception, pregnancy, different types of birth, genetics (e.g. hair colour), different kinds of families, keeping safe (consensual touch), HIV (but not other STI/BBVs). A book that parents/teachers can read to younger children, or older children can read themselves.
Book review by Cath Hak 4min 36sec.
Age: 7 to 11 years.
My body belongs to me
Fiction
A straightforward story of a young girl that was sexually abused by a friend's uncle. The young girl tells her mum and dad who help her. Explains that it is not her fault. A rhyming book.
My body belongs to me from my head to my toes
Fiction
A story that covers safe touch, personal space, types of touch, how to say no to unwanted touch, and how to tell someone if abuse has happened. Includes a letter to parents/carers.
My Space, My Power Place
20 page book about personal space, boundaries and early warning signs. Each 'shield' is a colour and boundary for consensual touch to assist teaching protective behaviours and consent.
My underpants rule!
Fiction
A story that explains to children that what is under your underpants is private. No one is allowed to touch private parts and how to say no.
No means no!
Fiction
A story about bodily autonomy, personal space, consent and protective behaviours.
Real wired child: What parents need to know about kids online
Topics: online safety.
Non-fiction
The internet has changed parenting forever. Carr-Gregg provides an essential guide to the online world of today's real wired children, from toddlers to teenagers.
Age: Parents and teacher.
Safe4Kids
Safe4Kids provides training and resources in protective behaviours (child abuse prevention education). Services include: Teacher PD, student workshops, parent workshops.
Sex is a funny word: a book about bodies, feelings, and you
A 160 page comic book for the early primary school years that opens up conversations between young people and their trusted adults on bodies, gender and sexuality for children in a safe way.
Sexuality and severe autism: a practical guide for parents caregivers and health educators
A 208 page paper back book on sexual health and sexuality. This book contains information on males and females, including public and private sexual behaviours, sexual abuse, physical changes and menstruation.
Talk Soon. Talk Often: a guide for parents talking to their kids about sex
A WA Department of Health booklet developed to support parents to initiate regular and relaxed conversations with their children about relationships and sexuality. Age and stage appropriate information for parents with children birth to teens. First published 2011, updated in 2019.
Teaching children with Down Syndrome about their bodies, boundaries & sexuality
A 331 paperback resource for parents and educators that provides information and ideas on how to teach children with Down Syndrome about their bodies, puberty and sexuality.
The Aspie Girl's guide to being safe with men: the unwritten safety rules no-one is telling you
This 176 page paperback book provides information for girls and women on the spectrum on dating, social interactions between men and women, and sexual conduct and relationships.
Those are My Private Parts
A protective behaviours book that focuses on teaching children that we don't play 'game' with our genitals. The purpose is to power and protect children from being groomed for sexual abuse.
Yarning quiet ways
A WA Department of Health resource to help parents and carers of young Aboriginal people yarn about strong, safe and healthy relationships. Age and stage appropriate information for parents of children birth to teens.