Parents can reduce the risk of sexual abuse to their children by always knowing where their children are and who they are with.Teach your children safety precautions such as:
- Don’t take walks with or rides from strangers.
- Don’t tell someone that you are home alone.
- Don’t answer the door at home if you don't know who the person is
- Summon a parent if a stranger asks you for help or wants to show you something.
- If anyone, even a loved one, tries to touch you or do things that make you uncomfortable, tell that person "NO" and tell another adult about it right away.
- That it is ok in some circumstances to say "NO" to a family member or a friend.
- Not to accept money, gifts, or candy from anyone without your permission.
- That it is OK to maintain personal space and it’s OK to cause a
scene or yell for attention if someone is trying to get too close.
Additional tips:
- Explain in simple terms what coercion (making you do something you don't want to do), manipulation (tricking you into doing something), and secrets are. Explain why some people want to keep secrets. Explain the difference between secrets and surprises (not telling someone about a gift or a surprise party) and that not all secrets should be kept, especially ones where another person makes threats or uses coercion.
- Do not have pornographic magazines or movies in your home.
- Know the people who are involved with your child, even relatives, close friends, teachers, day care providers, coaches, or clergy members. If your child participates in city, church, or organization activities, ask if adults involved have passed background checks.
- Be aware of an adult or older child who spends a large amount of time with your child, wants to give your child lots of gifts, or seems to be focused on your child.
- A sex offender can befriend and manipulate a child to set up the child
for abuse within an hour or two of meeting the child. Be very watchful
of what happens from the start of any relationship your child is in.
Be aware if your child is avoiding a particular person with whom she/he used to be comfortable. - If you suspect your child is being/has been abused, ask about it in a caring, non-threatening way.
Even if these suggestions are followed, a sex offender could victimize a child. Awareness of child sexual abuse and maintaining a healthy relationship with your children is key to increasing safety.
For additional information, please contact us at the following address sasiservices@survivorinfo.org