
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It’s a great time of the year to learn some practical ways to protect the children you care about!
There are five steps that parents, grandparents, and all adults can learn to protect children and youth from sexual abuse. (Source: https://www.d2l.org/education/5-steps/)
They are:
Let’s focus on #2, “minimize opportunity.” A 2012 study showed that 80 percent of child sexual abuse incidents happen when an adult is alone with a child. The Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training states: “Eliminate or reduce isolated one-on-one situations.”
Real Life Strategies
Here are some suggestions that the Foothills’ staff follows IRL (in real life) to protect the kids we love.
There are many other practical ways to reduce the opportunities for one-on-one adult-child situations. Learn more by joining us for a free Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training. The training is available in English and En Español. Please contact us to schedule at training!
Prevention is possible!!
There are five steps that parents, grandparents, and all adults can learn to protect children and youth from sexual abuse. (Source: https://www.d2l.org/education/5-steps/)
They are:
- Learn the facts.
- Minimize opportunity.
- Talk about it.
- Recognize the signs.
- React responsibility.
Let’s focus on #2, “minimize opportunity.” A 2012 study showed that 80 percent of child sexual abuse incidents happen when an adult is alone with a child. The Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training states: “Eliminate or reduce isolated one-on-one situations.”
Real Life Strategies
Here are some suggestions that the Foothills’ staff follows IRL (in real life) to protect the kids we love.
- “I thoroughly researched day care centers and chose one that follows strict child-safe policies – for example, there are always multiple teachers present. And, they do background checks on all staff and volunteers.”
- “When my children wanted to go over to a friend’s house, I would insist on meeting the parents first, and I would drop by earlier than expected to see how things were going.”
- “As a grandma, I’ve talked with my grandchildren about Internet safety, and I’ve helped to set up parental controls. My grandchildren know not to give out their real names or addresses. And when they are playing online games, I’ll stop by randomly and ask them whom they are talking to. It annoys them, but they are going to think twice about interactions with strangers. Also, the game console is set up in the living area, which is less isolating than a kid’s bedroom.”
There are many other practical ways to reduce the opportunities for one-on-one adult-child situations. Learn more by joining us for a free Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training. The training is available in English and En Español. Please contact us to schedule at training!
Prevention is possible!!