Happy children in nature at sunset
By Ginger Kadlec — get free updates of new posts here.
The overwhelming majority of children who are sexually abused (in fact, over 90%) aren’t abused by strangers lurking in the dark. They are abused by someone either they or their parents know, love or trust.
Because of this, it’s vitally important for parents to educate their children about what to do in the event they are ever approached by a sexual predator or actually find themselves in an abusive situation. Teaching children these 3 simple words can make all the difference in the world!
#1: NO!
There is tremendous power in this two-letter word. Sexual predators often test a child’s level of compliance before escalating molestation. Predators are more likely to abuse a child who is passive, trusting or complicit. Empower your child to say “NO!” to someone who ever tries to touch a private body part. Actually practice having your child use his/her outdoor voice to yell, “NO!” Even though this is a serious message, it’s okay to have some fun with it! Keeping the lesson lighthearted will help your child better retain it, too.
#2: RUN
Privacy and silence are a predator’s best friends. Predators seek to isolate their victims, so it’s important children know to immediately get away from someone who threatens them, makes them feel uncomfortable or actually touches a private part of their bodies. “Run” is a concept easily understood by kids — have them run to a safe place, preferably to you or to another adult they trust, right away.
#3: TELL
Predators rely on silence and employ a variety of tactics to keep their victims from telling anyone about the abuse. Sadly, these tactics work all too well… 73% of children who are sexually abused don’t disclose abuse for at least one year. Another 45% don’t disclose for another five years… still others never tell anyone of their abuse. It is vital the children in your life know to immediately tell you or another trusted adult if someone ever tries to touch a private body part or makes them feel uncomfortable or “icky” in any way.
These 3 simple words every child should know to stop sexual predators really can (and DO) make a difference. You can do it! Help protect the children in your life today by teaching them what to do in the event they ever find themselves in this unimaginable place. Stopping sexual predators can be done… but we must first arm our children with the tools to know what to do. Once they come tell us about the abuse, we can take it from there: 7 Step Response To Child Abuse Disclosure.
For more tips on how to protect your child from sexual abuse, pre-register now for FREE sexual abuse prevention training for parents — coming very soon!
Click Here for FREE Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Parents
Click Here for FREE Sexual Abuse Prevention Training for Parents
About Ginger
Working to improve the world one child at a time, Ginger has made it her life mission to raise awareness of the world-wide epidemic of child abuse. An impassioned child advocate, trainer, speaker and child forensic interviewer, Ginger regularly blogs about child protection issues and has released a report for parents and other caring adults, “10 Scary Apps.” Ginger can be contacted via her website “Ginger Kadlec: BeAKidsHero™” at BeAKidsHero.com or find her on Facebook at facebook.com/gingergkadlec.
You can also connect with Ginger via other social media at:
- Twitter: twitter.com/GingerKadlec
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/gingerkadlec
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gingerkadlec
