Sexual Abuse Safety Rules 

Explain to your children that they have the right to say no to anyone who might try to touch or take them away.

Tell your children that some adults may try to hurt them or make them do things they do not feel comfortable doing.  Often these adults tell children to keep what they are doing a secret and may tell them their parents will be hurt if the child ever tells the secret.  Tell your children that an adult who does this is wrong.

Teach your children what touches are good and what touches are bad.  Discuss the fact that touches may be confusing at times, and if they are not sure, discuss this with you.

Teach children a basic working vocabulary for parts of the body.

Begin discussions slowly and clarify the child's understanding of words.  Children's concepts can be very different from adults.  Answer questions fully, keeping in mind the age of the child.

Problem-solving games, story telling and roll playing are ways to talk to children.

As a minimum, children should be taught to say NO!  To run away and tell a trusted adult, and to keep telling until someone helps them.