Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Teach Your Child
- Talk to your child on a daily basis and listen to what they are saying.
- Teach your child about good and bad touches.
- Teach your child names for the different parts of their body.
- Teach them that no one is to touch their private areas or do anything
that makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Without scaring your child, tell them that some adults might try to
touch them in an inappropriate manner, even adults they might know.
- Tell them that they should not keep secrets from their parents, even
if someone has threatened to harm them or their parents.
Watch for Behavioral Indicators and Changes
- Bedwetting
- Significant change in school performance
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Fears and phobias
- Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person
- Acting more infantile
- Stained underpants
- Pain on urination
- Age inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters
- Running away
- Self destructive behavior
These signs are not in and of themselves, conclusive evidence that your
child was sexually abused. They must be looked at in conjunction with
other behaviors and factors.
If Your Child Discloses Sexual Abuse
- Do not panic or overreact to the information.
- Calmly listen to the child and ask them what happened.
- Do not criticize your child for what happened.
- Believe your child, because children rarely lie about sexual abuse.
- Praise your child for telling you what happened.
- Tell the child that your will protect them.
- Notify local Law Enforcement or Child Protective Agency.
- Seek medical help for your child from a physician trained to deal with
and recognize sexual abuse
Selecting a Child Care Provider
- Visit the caregiver.
- Ask the caregiver questions.
- Talk to other parents who have used the caregiver.
THINK ABOUT IT
Return to Tip of the Month Index
Neighborhood Watch Program Index
LPD HomePage