teaching kids to be safe from sex abuse??

[crunchyconmomma]

what do you know about teaching and/or what have you done to teach your kids how to protect themselves from sexual predators or just simple sexual abuse? this has been on my mind alot lately and i feel so clueless. but my DH always says "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail" so i think i best be starting the education to feel more secure about my boys being able to protect themselves.

[boongirl]

While teaching fifth grade before dd, it was my job to also teach about sexual health. Part of that was how to protect oneself not only from sexual predators but also unwanted sexual advances of all kinds. It comes down to teaching kids about their rights. We were trained to teach kids about how if it feels uncomfortable then they have a right to say so, even to a parent. We told them about the people they can go to if they are experiencing any kind of unwanted touch, parents, family members, school counselors, teachers, principals. We gave them information about organizations they can go to for help. We taught them how to say no and how to respond to no. We taught them about making good judgements around strangers and also around people they know who might be harming them. Much of sexual abuse comes from those who are known. A lot of it comes along with teaching self esteem, teaching kids they have the right to be in charge of their bodies. And, also teaching them to stay away from situations that make them feel uncomfortable. Many kids today are taken against their will but some are saved because they fight like heck. Teach your boys to not let anyone touch them in any way if they don't want it. And many predators, strangers or known, will use subtle ways of getting to kids to befriend them and then slowly start abusing them. So, having a good and strong relationship with your kids and knowing where they are and not letting them troll the city or the internet for hours alone is also important.

There are a lot of good books out there. Maybe ask a librarian or teacher or counselor for advice.

[sun-shine01]

Read this book -

Protecting the Gift

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...896499-8817532

[kaydee]

Originally Posted by sun-shine01

Read this book -

Protecting the Gift

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...896499-8817532

I second this recommendation!

Also, check out the programs offered by Kidpower (www.kidpower.org). I have observed some of their classes for children (even really young children) and they are amazing! They work with children in a reassuring, age-appropriate way, and on issues that include not only sexual abuse, kidnapping and those horrors, but also everyday conflict managament, avoiding bullying, etc. As soon as my son is old enough, we will enroll him in a Kidpower workshop. There are centers all over, so perhaps there is one near where you are.